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The idea that the more years a person works before retirement, the more likely they are to be injured seems like common sense; however, many people even today do not realize it. As such, workplace injury lawyers in Philadelphia may be seeing an increase in job-related accident claims because of extended hours on the job.
A recent study found that arthritis is one of the leading causes of worker disability. In fact, it was projected that by the year 2030, 25 percent of the adult population in America would be afflicted with arthritis. Not only is this a painful medical condition for employees to endure, it also causes lost earnings of nearly $47 billion each year.
Despite this predicted medical trend, there are there are some potential ways to avert this medical issue. It has been recommended that employers consider implementing a variety of workplace programs to reduce injury, including:
- Seminars to educate employees about the risks of working as they grow older and appropriate safety measures
- Ergonomics
- Disability management
- Resistance training, which can minimize injury risks associated with aging
While these ideas sound great, not all workplaces currently follow them. For those that do not, and when an injury does occur, employees may wish to raise concerns about safety conditions. However, some employees may fear the consequences of speaking up, so they can report issues to Pennsylvania or federal workplace safety officials.
If a worker is injured, then it may be in their best interest to explore all the options available to them. Typically, workers’ compensation benefits are offered. These benefits can be used to replace lost wages, cover medical treatment or provide resources for retraining. Being vigilant at work is always important, but knowing your options in case of an accident may be crucial at a time when you are in need of answers.
Source: Occupational Health & Safety, “Working Longer Comes with a Price,” Oct. 30, 2012