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School employees are at risk for a variety of workplace injuries

On Behalf of | Jan 28, 2025 | Workers' Compensation

When you think of school, you probably don’t think about the potential injuries that the teachers and staff face daily. Yet, injuries are not uncommon in school settings. The frenetic environment exposes school employees to potential accidents and injuries that can leave them unable to work either temporarily or permanently.

Programs such as School Action for Safety and Health (SASH) aim to educate California school districts about workplace injuries and how to curtail them. Still, teachers, cafeteria workers, janitors and other school employees are vulnerable.

Common injuries that school employees suffer

Some of the most common injuries suffered by school employees include the following:

  • Repetitive stress injuries. Teachers who put in a lot of time grading papers or typing up worksheets and tests run the risk of acquiring carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive stress injuries. This can lead to debilitating pain in the hands and wrists.
  • Slips, trips and falls. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, burns from chemicals in the science lab and neck or back pain are just some of the injuries that teachers and staff can suffer in slip and fall accidents. Playground duty, accidental spills in the cafeteria or classroom, ice or potholes in the parking lot, messes left by students and crumbling or missing floor tiles can all lead to falls.
  • Athletic injuries. Teachers can experience injuries during physical activities or gym class, ranging from small strains to serious fractures or dislocations. Injuries like these have the potential to become long-term or permanent disabilities.

These are just a some of the hazardous circumstances that school employees face from day to day. Being aware of them can help, but it won’t prevent some accidents and injuries from happening.

Remember that you have the right to seek workers’ compensation benefits to cover medical care and help with lost wages. If you need help getting your claim approved or have other questions or issued, it’s smart to get legal guidance.