When thinking of dangerous professions, being a teacher is not one that usually springs to mind.
Many teachers do, however, find themselves injured while at work at some point during their careers. The demands of the job can often lead to physical, or mental, injury and illness.
Fortunately, there is relief for teachers who find themselves with a workplace injury under California’s worker’s compensation laws. Below are three common injuries teachers can find themselves with.
Sprains and fractures
There are lots of obstacles in a school that can cause a teacher to trip and fall. Examples include:
- Slippery floors due to bad weather or spillages that haven’t been cleaned up
- Damaged or uneven carpeting
- Items left on the floor in classrooms by students
All of these things can easily contribute to an accident which can commonly cause injuries like sprains, fractures and broken bones.
Subject-related injuries
Some subjects are more dangerous to teach than others as they pose more risk.
- Gym teachers may suffer from knee or joint pains as a result of high exercise levels
- Chemistry teachers are working with chemicals that may cause burns
- Teachers of IT may be more prone to repetitive strain injury through contact typing
Stress and anxiety
While not necessarily an injury, the job of a teacher is often a difficult and stressful one. This can lead to developing depression and anxiety. In some cases, this leaves a teacher finding themselves unable to work as a result of needing to seek treatment.
Finding yourself with an injury from work may impact your life significantly, both physically and financially. Making a claim for worker’s compensation can help you get the compensation you need and deserve while you recuperate.