Most people don’t think of offices as common places to suffer workplace injuries, but the truth is, you can be injured in an office the same as if you were injured in a factory. We often refer to these as “white-collar injuries,” and although they may happen in different ways, they are no less eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. If, for example, you begin experiencing knee pain on the job, it may be as a result of repetitive stress based on your activities, and your workers’ comp should cover treating that knee pain. Let’s talk about the various types of white-collar knee injuries and what you should do if you experience one of these injuries.
Common Types of Knee Injuries in the Office
Knee injuries can happen in office settings more frequently than you’d think. These typically fall into three categories:
- Slip-and-fall accidents: If you slip and fall on the job in an office setting, especially in a wet area like a bathroom or kitchen, or by tripping over an obstruction like a section of damaged carpeting, these are all common causes of knee injuries at work.
- Lifting accidents: People can suffer knee injuries because of improperly lifted objects at work, such as lifting heavy boxes or moving a desk.
- Repetitive stress injuries: Knee injuries can also develop gradually over time by repetitive motion (not unlike other stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome). If your job requires you to get up from your desk many times a day, for example, this could put undue stress on your knees.
What to Do If You Have an Office-Related Knee Injury
If you are have developed a gradual knee injury from office activities, or if you experience an accident that injures your knee, you are just as eligible for workers’ compensation benefits as if you had suffered a workplace accident in a factory or a construction site. Take the following steps as soon as possible:
- Report the injury to your employer.
- Seek medical treatment for the knee injury right away.
- Avoid actions that may aggravate the injury—including staying at home to recover, if necessary.
- File a claim for workers’ compensation benefits within 30 days of your accident or developing an office-related knee injury.
Remember, you are entitled to receive payment for necessary medical care and services and get reimbursed for time lost from work due to your injury. If your workers’ compensation claim is delayed or denied, a workers’ compensation attorney can intervene to help ensure you receive these benefits in a timely manner.
At Accident Defenders, our team of attorneys has extensive experience with workers’ comp cases. If you’re uncertain whether your injury qualifies for workers’ comp or if your knee injury claim has been denied, we can help. Call us at 323-818-HURT or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.