Common Injuries for Janitorial Employees

Janitorial Employee Injuries in North Carolina

At Hardison & Cochran, we believe that janitorial employees, like all workers, deserve respect for the work they do. We realize that business and government offices could not function without janitorial employees maintaining them.

Our lawyers also believe that janitors and other custodial workers deserve proper compensation when they are hurt or become ill on the job, including North Carolina workers’ compensation benefits and/or personal injury lawsuit damages.

If you are a janitorial employee who has suffered a job-related injury or illness, call us today at (800) 434-8399 or contact us online to learn more about your rights and options. We will respond with help for you within 24 hours.

Hazards of the Janitorial Industry

Janitorial employees, or custodians, clean and maintain the premises of all sizes and types of commercial and governmental establishments, including schools, hospitals, day care centers, food service operations, retail stores, office complexes and other similar establishments.

The job duties as well as the supplies and equipment used in the janitorial and maintenance industry make these employees susceptible to a variety of injuries on the job. The risks include:

  • Ergonomic injury – Janitorial work involves a variety of repetitive motions, such as bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling. A sudden motion or the cumulative effect of daily work can cause strains, sprains and other musculoskeletal injuries, including back injuries.
  • Fall accidents – Surfaces slick from mopping or spills that have yet to be mopped up by the janitor represent a slip-and-fall accident hazard. Janitors are also injured in falls from ladders and other work surfaces.
  • Electrical shock – Janitorial employees often work with electrical equipment, such as vacuum cleaners, floor buffers and power tools. This equipment exposes them to electrical current and the risk of electrical shock, especially when the equipment is used around spills and other moisture.
  • Toxic chemical exposure – Chemicals in cleaning solutions and floor strippers can irritate the skin, cause rashes or burn the eyes if splashed. Vapors and/or gases from cleaning chemicals may irritate the nose, throat and lungs. Chemicals in some cleaning products can cause asthma or trigger asthma attacks.
  • Blood-borne pathogens – Exposure to blood-borne pathogens can cause serious disease. Among them are Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), which causes serious liver disease, and Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV), which causes AIDS.

Janitorial employees who are injured while performing custodial or maintenance work on the job in North Carolina qualify for workers’ compensation benefits in most cases. These benefits pay medical bills and replace a portion of an injured or disabled worker’s wages.

In some cases, a third party, such as an equipment manufacturer or supplier, may be liable for a janitor’s workplace injury. Third-party claims for compensation require a finding of fault, which may be demonstrated through evidence collected after an accident.

At Hardison & Cochran, our attorneys can help janitorial employees obtain proper workers’ compensation benefits after an on-the-job injury or illness. We can join your claim at any point to assist you in the workers’ comp application or appeals process.

We can also review your workplace accident and determine whether a third party could be held liable for your illness or injury. This may lead to a legal claim for compensation in addition to the workers’ compensation benefits you receive.

Our Lawyers Help Injured Janitorial Employees in North Carolina

The workplace injury lawyers of Hardison & Cochran can help you if you have been injured or become ill while working as a janitor/custodian in North Carolina. We are well-versed in N.C. workers’ compensation rules and regulations, and we have helped many janitorial employees maximize their benefit settlements. If appropriate, we can also seek damages for you through a third-party liability claim.

Learn more by calling us today at (800) 434-8399 or completing our online form. Our initial case reviews are always free.

Sources:

  • Cleaning Industry, Occupational Safety & Health Administration – Cleaning Industry