Recovery for Workplace Janitorial Injuries
Many business and government offices simply couldn’t function without regular maintenance by janitorial employees. These workers clean and maintain everything from retail stores and restaurants, to hospitals, daycare centers, office complexes, schools, and hotels. Janitors have physically demanding jobs, which often lead to serious injuries and occupational diseases.
Common Janitorial Work Injuries
Janitors perform many strenuous tasks, including moving furniture, washing desks and tables, emptying trash receptacles, cleaning restrooms, mopping, sweeping, and vacuuming. Janitorial work can lead to injuries affecting the hands, fingers, arms, shoulders, and ankles.
Some of the most common injury risks include:
Falls. Slick surfaces caused by mopping or spills frequently result in serious injuries from slips and falls. Janitors may also be injured by falls from ladders and other high surfaces while changing light bulbs or making repairs.
Toxic chemicals. Janitorial workers are exposed to numerous hazardous cleaning chemicals that irritate the eyes and skin, causing rashes and burns. Vapors from these substances can also cause throat, nose, and lung irritation. In the most extreme cases, exposure may even lead to asthma or trigger asthma attacks.
Ergonomic injuries. Janitorial work inevitably requires many repetitive motions, such as lifting, pushing, pulling, bending, and reaching. The cumulative impact of these motions can result in frequent pain from strains, sprains, and back injuries.
Protecting Your Right to Recovery
If you were injured while performing custodial or maintenance work, you’re entitled to receive compensation for your ailments. You can qualify for workers’ compensation benefits to cover your medical bills and receive income while recovering from your injuries. You may also receive compensation from a third party responsible for the harm you have suffered, such as the manufacturer of defective equipment.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help you pursue workers’ compensation benefits and file a claim against liable third parties. To learn more about what the law offices of Steve M. Lee, P.C., can do for you, visit us on Facebook.