Work Injuries Among IT Workers

Information technology (IT) jobs in Sunrise and throughout South Florida include a range of specialties and particular professions. Indeed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs in IT can range from information science researching positions and computer programmers to software developers and digital designers to on-call computer support specialists. While each of these types of IT jobs vary in their specific duties, they all involve work with computers. Sometimes IT jobs require traveling for work, especially for on-call computer support specialists who may need to drive between job sites to manage computer or system issues. Other positions involve regular work in an office setting or research lab. In any IT position, a worker can sustain injuries on the job. Like other workers in South Florida, IT employees may be eligible to obtain workers’ compensation coverage after an accident or injury on the job.

An experienced Sunrise workers’ compensation lawyer can provide you with more information.

Common Duties for IT Workers in Florida

 In South Florida, IT workers have a wide range of job duties, such as:

• Building network systems;
• Setting up computer systems;
• Troubleshooting computer problems;
• Evaluating computer and network issues;
• Writing computer programs;
• Performing computer updates;
• Correcting computer code errors;
• Maintaining network safety protocols;
• Consulting with other employees about IT needs;
• Improving the functions of computer systems;
• Traveling to perform computer and network troubleshooting.

Injuries for IT Workers on the Job 

Given the wide range of job duties that IT workers have, they can sustain work injuries while seated at their computers, while traveling, or while walking between different areas of an office setting. Common injuries include but are not limited to:

• Sprains, strains, and broken bones due to slips and falls or trips and falls;
• Repetitive motion injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome, due to work at a computer;
• Electric shock injuries while working on certain systems; and
• Traumatic brain injuries and broken bones sustained in motor vehicle collisions during work-required travel.

How to Seek Compensation for a Workplace Injury 

To be eligible for workers’ compensation, you will need to report your injury to your employer as soon as possible, and within 30 days from the date of the injury at the latest. You will also need to obtain medicare care as soon as possible. An initial emergency visit can be with any provider, but any subsequent care will need to be with an approved provider. Finally, you should have a lawyer on your side to help you navigate the workers’ compensation process in Florida.

Contact Our Sunrise Workers’ Compensation Attorneys 

Getting injured on the job is devastating no matter what industry you work in. Whether you were injured while engaged in computer work for your employer or while traveling as part of your IT job, you should get in touch with an experienced Sunrise workers’ compensation attorney at the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. to learn more about seeking benefits. You may be eligible to have your medical care covered in addition to receiving wage-replacement benefits through the Florida workers’ compensation system.

Sources:

bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/0440.html