Administrative Assistant/Secretary Work Injuries

When people think of hazardous jobs, positions like construction or manufacturing usually come to mind. However, office spaces present their own distinct set of physical demands and dangers. Administrative assistants, secretaries, and office managers perform vital work that keeps businesses running, but the repetitive and stationary nature of their duties frequently leads to serious, debilitating injuries.

If you are an office professional who has been hurt on the job, it is important to recognize the physical hazards of your environment and understand how the Illinois workers’ compensation system protects you. Contact us any time at 312-346-5320 to speak with an experienced Illinois lawyer for free.

Common Hazards and Injuries in the Office Environment

Administrative roles involve far more physical exertion and repetitive motion than most people realize. Over time, or through sudden accidents, common injuries frequently arise in this profession:

• Repetitive Strain and Carpal Tunnel: Hours spent typing, entering data, and operating a mouse can cause repetitive trauma. Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and tendinitis can cause intense pain, numbness, and permanent nerve damage if left untreated.
• Slips, Trips, and Falls: Office environments are filled with hidden trip hazards. Workers frequently trip over loose extension cords, open filing cabinet drawers, storage boxes in walkways, or slick surfaces in break rooms and lobbies.
• Lifting and Straining Injuries: Administrative assistants are regularly tasked with lifting and carrying heavy boxes of copier paper, moving office furniture, organizing supply closets, or handling bulky mail deliveries. This can result in acute back strains, neck injuries, or herniated discs.
• Ergonomic Stress: Sitting in a non-ergonomic chair for eight hours a day can lead to chronic musculoskeletal disorders, accelerating degenerative disc disease and causing severe neck and shoulder strain.

Don’t Hesitate to File a Claim

A unique challenge that administrative assistants and secretaries face is the close relationship you often share with your boss or employer. Because you work closely with your boss or business owner an a regular basis, you might feel hesitant or guilty about reporting an injury. You may worry that filing a claim will damage your professional relationship or strain the company’s finances.

It is vital to understand that a workers’ compensation claim is not a lawsuit against your boss or company. It is simply a formal request for insurance benefits that you are legally entitled to under Illinois law. Your employer pays for workers’ compensation insurance precisely for this reason. Filing a claim ensures that your 100% of your medical bills are paid, your lost wages are covered while you recover, and your health is protected. And when you get all better you will get a settlement to compensate you for the extent of your injuries.

Hiring a Lawyer

Insurance adjusters often try to downplay office injuries, claiming that typing couldn’t possibly cause severe nerve damage, or that your back pain is a pre-existing condition. To fight back against these tactics, you need an advocate. We recommend reputable lawyers who have time and time again successfully represented administrative assistants and office professionals.

These attorneys operate entirely on a contingency-fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs, and you only pay legal fees if your attorney successfully recovers compensation or a settlement for you. We only recommend lawyers who we would suggest to friends or family members.

We help injured workers across the state of Illinois find the best legal representation for their unique situation. You can speak with an attorney at no cost for a free case evaluation. Call, chat or complete our online form, and we will point you in the right direction.