Educators quite literally shape the future of America, working tirelessly to provide education and support to the next generation. An educator’s impact reaches far beyond the classroom, and while it is one of the most rewarding fields of work, it does come with its own share of risks, including the risk of workplace injuries. It is the school administration’s job to provide educators with a safe and healthy work environment, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that every workplace is maintained to appropriate standards.
Employers and insurance companies will make it an uphill battle to collect workers’ compensation benefits, even for people who have dedicated their entire careers to selflessly shaping the next generation. They will do everything in their power to minimize your harm, undervalue your injury, attribute it to non-work-related causes, and or even argue that it is a pre-existing condition. That’s why you need a knowledgeable and relentless Kent County workers’ compensation attorney.
Proudly serving the people of Dover, Wilmington, Newark, and beyond, the knowledgeable workers’ compensation team at Rhoades & Morrow have dedicated their entire practice to advocating for just compensation for injured citizens across Delaware. We are ready to start fighting for you today. Let us help you see the workers’ compensation benefits to which you are rightfully and legally entitled.
1. Slips, Trips, and Falls
The most common workplace injuries across almost every field are due to slipping, tripping, and falling. These risks are heightened in school settings, with wet floors, crowded hallways, and poorly funded and maintained buildings and parking lots.
2. Repetitive Strain Injuries
Teachers are especially prone to repetitive strain injuries including carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and back ailments due to the high pressure to complete writing and typing tasks quickly and long periods spent standing or sitting behind a desk.
3. Subject-Specific Injuries
Educators face certain hazards and risks based on the specific subject matter they teach. Physical education teachers are prone to suffering sports-related injuries and are more likely to be injured by thrown or kicked equipment, and science teachers may be exposed to dangerous chemicals, especially if students do not take proper precautions for storage and use.
4. Violence
Violence is a growing epidemic across schools, especially with regard to school shootings, leading to too many deaths and injuries each year. Teachers are not only at risk of being injured in a school shooting but can also suffer injuries when trying to de-escalate altercations among students.
5. Toxic Exposure
It is no secret that schools across America are grossly underfunded, and many districts have no choice but to use older buildings that are prone to damage or may have been built with harmful materials. This can leave educators exposed to toxic substances such as mold, fumes, and asbestos for decades, which can lead to life-threatening symptoms and illnesses.
6. Emotional Stresses and Psychological Strain
While rewarding and integral to society, educators do not have an easy job. In addition to the physical demands of working in education, there are also mental and emotional demands to contend with. These stressors are not easy to leave in the classroom before returning home. Teachers have to handle challenging students and parents, a lack of supplies due to poor funding, and pressure to perform from the administration on a daily basis, which can affect an educator’s mental health.
Rhoades & Morrow: Experienced Kent County Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Fighting Relentlessly to Uphold Your Rights
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury on the job, you deserve to see your rightful workers’ compensation benefits. Don’t let employers and insurance companies undervalue your pain and limit the benefits you’re rightfully due. Turn to a law firm, backed by decades of experience in the field, with the mission of fighting for the rights of injured workers across Delaware. The skilled team at Rhoades & Morrow has offices in Wilmington, Newark, Milford, and Lewes, and proudly serves clients across Delaware. We offer free, confidential, no-obligation consultations! Call us at (302)-427-9500 or fill out our online form today.