Skip to Content
Michael J. Doyle, Attorney At Law Michael J. Doyle, Attorney At Law
Free Consultations 505-219-2176
Top

Teacher Injuries & Workers’ Compensation

Teachers & On-The-Job Injuries

Working as an educator can be a rewarding job, but it can also be physically demanding. From monitoring students to completing faculty work, teachers are constantly on the go. Unfortunately, all that activity can lead to injuries in the workplace. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the most common injuries educators suffer in the workplace and how workers' compensation claims can help.

What Are the Most Common Work-Related Injuries Among Educators?

Educators face many different types of workplace injuries every day due to their physical demands on the job

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and falls can occur in any type of workplace environment but are particularly common in educational settings due to overcrowded classrooms and hallways. These accidents can result in serious injury if not properly addressed before they occur. To reduce your risk of slip and falls, always be sure to wear appropriate footwear while walking around school grounds, keep hallways clear of clutter, report any wet floors immediately, use caution when going up or down stairs, and lookout for potential hazards like loose carpeting or uneven flooring.

Repetitive Motion Injuries

As an educator you may find yourself spending hours bent over your desk grading papers or hunched over your computer typing up lesson plans. Over time these repetitive motions can cause strain on your body leading to painful symptoms like carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis in your wrists, hands or elbows. It’s important for educators to practice proper ergonomics when working at their desks in order to reduce the risk of developing one of these often painful repetitive motion injuries.

Stress Injuries

Stress isn’t just emotional; it can also have physical repercussions as well. Educators may find themselves feeling stressed out from long hours at work or dealing with unruly students; however, if this stress is allowed to build up over time it could result in physical stress-related injuries such as back pain or shoulder pain due to tensing up muscles over extended periods of time without relief. It’s important for educators suffering from stress-related injuries to seek medical attention before they become worse.

Back Injuries

Back pain can be caused by lifting heavy objects incorrectly or spending long hours sitting at a desk without taking regular breaks. To prevent back injuries from occurring it’s important to practice good posture when sitting at your desk, get up from your desk regularly throughout the day for short stretches, take advantage of ergonomic office furniture options (like adjustable chairs), avoid lifting heavy objects without assistance if possible and make sure you get plenty restful sleep each night.

Illness Caused by Toxic Exposure

Depending on the age of the building where you work, you can be exposed to hazardous substances, like asbestos or fumes. These substances can lead to serious healthcare complications like cancer or other life-threatening illnesses because of long-term exposure.

Violence-Related Injuries

School shootings and fights can also lead to serious injuries. According to Everytown Research & Policy, there were 176 gunfire incidents on school grounds in 2022. While many school campuses have policies in place for such incidents and enforce routine drills, teachers are still at risk of sustaining injuries if they are caught in the crosshairs of a violent accident.

Subject-Related Injuries

You can face unique hazards based on the subject that you teach. For instance, chemistry teachers are at risk of burn injuries or toxic exposure issues; literature teachers are more at risk for repetitive strain injuries because of all the writing they may do, and gym teachers can suffer from sports-related injuries. For your safety, you should take time to learn the risks you face and

Educators face unique challenges when it comes to workplace safety; however, they are still entitled to workers' compensation benefits if they suffer an injury while performing their job duties. If you are an educator who has been injured while at work, our experienced workers' compensation attorneys can help you file a claim and make sure you get all the benefits you deserve under the law.

For decades, Michael Doyle, Attorney at Law has been helping injured workers understand workers’ comp benefits and pursue compensation for their work-related. Schedule a complimentary case consultation by calling (505) 219-2176 to learn more about how we can help you.

Categories: