This blog focuses primarily on New Yorkers wearing hard hats at work. But, while they are an essential part of the city’s fabric, they are not the only workers who get injured on the job. And these other workers, just like construction workers, are often eligible for workers’ compensation. Today we will talk about the most common government jobs and some of the risks they face.
That last sentence may confuse some readers. After all, government workers often are thought of as having safe, cushy gigs. But many government-types get their hands dirty. And even pencil pushers can be hurt. These injuries add up when extrapolated across all state and federal jobs.
Consider a few of the most common jobs — office types, postal workers, healthcare professionals and public-safety personnel. A little imagination turns up a variety of risks for each. For example, office clerks and administrative assistants have seemingly safe jobs but they run the risk of slip-and-fall accidents and repetitive stress injuries — including carpal tunnel syndrome.
Mail carriers face more risk such as dog attacks, car accidents and weather-related mishaps. Registered nurses risk contagious illnesses among other things. Meanwhile, police, firefighters and correctional officers risk their personal safety every day, risks that include burns, attacks, smoke inhalation and post-traumatic stress disorder.
As the previous paragraph highlights, government work is not without its risks. When these risks bloom into injuries, injured workers need to consider whether they are covered by workers’ compensation and, if so, whether to seek it.
But making those decisions right after an injury can be tough. Some people will benefit from discussing their options with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. That discussion could be the first step towards putting a tough time in the rear-view mirror.
Source: govexec.com, “The 10 Most Common Jobs in Government,” Accessed Aug. 25, 2015
