How Workplace Ergonomics Affect Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

Secure rightful compensation for ergonomic-related injuries at work. Discover essential ergonomic strategies to protect your health and claim rights.

Every year, an astonishing one million workers spanning a multitude of industries across the nation suffer from work-related back pain. Office workers, in particular, find themselves at a higher risk of developing lower back pain and posture-related injuries. Inadequate office setups featuring hard chairs, overly high desks, or confined spaces can substantially elevate the risk of these work-related injuries.

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Integrating ergonomic solutions into the workspace can revolutionize the office environment, curbing fatigue, discomfort, and the risk of injury. Here are some invaluable ergonomic insights to transform your workspace and safeguard your health.

1. Invest in an Ergonomically Designed Chair: Begin your journey to a healthier work environment by, if possible, investing in an ergonomically designed chair that offers comfort and support. Ensure your selected chair encourages the natural S curve of the spine. A supportive chair should cushion your lower and middle back when you lean back, aligning with your spine’s natural curvature. Your chair should also offer stability and adjustable height features to align perfectly with your desk. Consider acquiring a lumbar-support pillow if purchasing a new chair is not possible. These specialized pillows position themselves between your lower back and the chair, promoting a natural spinal curvature.
2. Customize Your Chair’s Height: Once you have a supportive chair, it’s important to adjust the height to facilitate an optimal sitting posture. Adjust your chair’s height until your arms and wrists adopt a neutral position, perpendicular to your body in a resting position. If this is challenging to achieve, consider installing a keyboard tray beneath the desk to lower the keyboard’s position.
3. Modify the Arm Rests: Should your chair offer adjustable armrests, configure them to gently lift your arms at the shoulders. Properly utilized arm rests can alleviate strain on your shoulders and spine. Furthermore, arm rests can deter the temptation to slouch at your desk, a frequent contributor to lower back pain and other posture-related injuries.
4. Implement a Foot Rest if Required: The height of your chair should enable your feet to rest flat or tilt slightly downward when seated. Avoid sitting in a chair too high that leaves your feet dangling. This position causes the pelvis to tilt backward, forcing your core muscles to maintain an unnatural position. It can also hamper blood flow to the legs, promoting fatigue and potentially causing varicose veins. A footrest can help prevent these issues by ensuring your feet remain supported.

Securing Your Workers’ Compensation Rights

Take preventative measures against ergonomic-related injuries by investing in appropriate furniture and adopting correct postures. Please note that such injuries can deteriorate over time, possibly leading to chronic conditions in the future. The sooner you incorporate improved office ergonomics, the greater protection you offer your back and spine.

Should you experience any back pain or ergonomic-related injuries, do not hesitate to contact the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann for assistance with your workers’ compensation claim. Remember, seeking rightful compensation for your injuries isn’t a privilege but a constitutional right. Our workers compensation attorneys have over 30 years of experience assisting thousands of injured Missouri workers get the compensation they deserve.