Think office work is safe?
Reconsider. Sedentary office work results in more back injuries annually than most people know. Years of poor posture, horrible workstation ergonomics and minimal activity are quietly destroying the spines of countless employees.
And here’s the kicker…
Most employers care little about ergonomics. Employees pay the consequences with ongoing pain, lost work time and costly medical bills that should never have occurred.
The good news is, if your back has been injured due to an improper workplace set-up there is legal recourse. Employers are legally responsible for providing a safe work environment – and can be sued when they fail to do so.
In this guide:
- The Real Cost of Office Back Injuries
- Why Employer Duty of Care Matters
- Common Ergonomic Hazards in the Office
- Filing a Workplace Back Injury Claim
- How to Protect Your Spine at Work
The Real Cost of Office Back Injuries
Back injuries aren’t just a “warehouse worker” problem.
Desk jockeys are prime candidates. Sitting in a chair for 8+ hours a day creates extreme stress on your spine. Year after year that stress accumulates. By the time most people realize something is wrong, the damage is already done.
Stats don’t lie. Every year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than one million workers are afflicted by back injuries, and back injuries account for 1 in 5 total workplace injuries or illnesses.
And here’s another stat that should make every employer sit up…
Lower back pain may cost the US economy up to $635 billion annually when considering medical costs and lost productivity. Lower back pain is one of the most common workplace health concerns.
Should you have a valid workplace back injury claim due to an unsafe workstation, your next course of action should be to consult with a back injury lawyer. Office work injuries to your spine can and do happen, are payable, and most workers are unaware that they have a claim.
Why Employer Duty of Care Matters
Employers have a legal responsibility to provide a safe workplace.
Yeah, that duty applies to construction sites and warehouses. But it also applies to offices. Per OSHA’s General Duty Clause and all workplace safety laws that exist in states:
- Provide ergonomically sound chairs and equipment
- Train workers on safe posture and computer habits
- Address known hazards (like a broken chair or cramped workspace)
- Allow reasonable breaks throughout the workday
- Respond quickly to injury complaints
When employers fail to do these things, they can be held accountable in court.
Here’s the thing…
Many employers will offer an employee a desk and chair and think they have met their obligations. Wrong. If an employee has raised concerns about back pain and it has been dismissed by management, then the employer has walked far outside of their duty of care. That is precisely when a workers back injury claim becomes viable.
Common Ergonomic Hazards in the Office
The workplace is full of tiny evils that slowly morph into colossal work injuries. Many employees don’t realize their workstation is harming them until it’s too late.
Bad Chair Setup
The worst kind of chairs are those that lack lumbar support. Without support for your lower back, your spine begins to slump slowly into poor alignment. Years of sitting like that causes serious long term damage.
Monitor Height Issues
When a monitor is too low or too high workers will find themselves leaning forward or looking up. Both actions put constant pressure on the shoulders and upper spine.
Cluttered Workstations
A cluttered desk makes employees twist and reach contorted positions. Months and years of repeating these positions lead to severe back injury.
Lack of Movement
Prolonged sitting is one of the worst things you can do for your spine. Studies have found that office workers experience low back pain with one-year prevalence rates between 31% and 51%. That means close to half of office workers suffer from pain.
No Sit-Stand Options
Contemporary ergonomic standards advocate allowing workers the choice to stand all day. Offices that fail to do this are living in the past – and endangering workers unnecessarily.
Filing a Workplace Back Injury Claim
Well what do you do when you are injured because of the way the office is setup?
Yes there are solutions. Timing is important so the sooner you act the better before it progresses. Follow along with this easy step by step guide:
- Write it down. Record the date the pain began, what symptoms you feel, and specifically what task aggravates it.
- Report the injury. Tell a supervisor or HR via written communication. This documents everything for a paper trail to cover the worker later.
- Visit your doctor. Obtain a diagnosis and follow through with treatment. Medical records will be vital to any claim.
- Speak with an attorney. An attorney who handles workplace injury cases can evaluate your situation and discuss your available compensation.
- File the claim. This may be a workers comp claim, a personal injury claim or both depending on your state.
Don’t delay. There are strict deadlines for these claims and procrastinating can severely damage your case. It’s best to record everything as soon as possible.
How to Protect Your Spine at Work
Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to back injury. Fortunately, office-related back pain is easily preventable with just a few simple tips:
- Adjust the chair: Have feet flat on floor, knees bent at 90 degrees, lower back supported.
- Place the monitor: Top of monitor at eye level and an arm’s length away from your body.
- Use a proper keyboard setup: Wrists straight, elbows at 90 degrees.
- Take breaks every 30 minutes: Stand up, stretch, walk around the office.
- Build up your core: Having a strong core relieves pressure on your spine.
Little things done every day can equal great change over the span of a career.
Bringing It All Together
Office work isn’t as safe as it looks.
Poor ergonomics and laziness on the behalf of employers are forcing more employees into chronic pain than ever. The human and financial toll it takes is devastating.
If you injure your back at work due to poor ergonomics, you don’t have to simply suffer in silence. Employers have a duty of care. When that duty is breached, employees have rights that should be upheld.
Speak with a trusted injury attorney, receive proper medical treatment and secure that future paycheck. Your back is one of the most vital areas of your body… It deserves a workplace that cares.
