Violence in the workplace is becoming all too common these days. Even teaching has become a dangerous profession that sometimes leads to injury. If a teacher gets injured while on the job, under Georgia law, they are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.

Common Injuries for Teachers

Teachers can suffer a variety of injuries while on the job. Here are some of the more common injuries reported:

• Stress: This is one of the most common reasons that workers’ comp claims are filed in the school system.
• Repetitive activity. This can be seen with long term use of the computer, writing, or any other activity that involves your wrist and hands.
• Back and neck injuries. This can arise from hanging artwork or standing on a ladder.
• Anxiety and depression. Teaching is stressful and can be emotionally draining as teacher’s must be”on” at all times.
• Shoulder Injuries. This comes from lifting and straining.
• Knee, ankle, and foot injuries. These usually comes from slipping and falling.

School Violence

Violence towards teachers is a national crisis that has reached unprecedented levels. According to the U.S. Department of Education, from 2011-12 approximately 9% of all teachers reported being physically threatened. This victimization cost lost wages, lost days of work (927,000 days/per year), medical and psychological care, and increased workers’ compensation claims and premiums.

Teachers are at risk for serious injuries and even death if there is a school shooting or any type of confrontation in the classroom. OSHA recommends that schools take steps to keep students and teachers safe from violence. One way of doing that would be to require visitors to sign in. School are increasingly installing video surveillance systems as another safeguard, but more work is needed to make schools safer.

Workers’ Compensation

If you are a teacher injured on the job, you are entitled to receive benefits to cover lost work time and your medical bills. Injuries that occur on school property or during the act of performing school duties are compensable no matter who was at fault.

When a teacher suffers an injury while on the job, he or she uses employer’s workers’ comp insurance. Employers have the option to dock sick leave from the teacher’s leave bank for the first seven days post injury. After the seven days, the teacher qualifies for workers’ compensation income benefits. Public school teachers sometimes face complicated issues when seeking to collect workers’ comp because they are enrolled in various state plans. School teachers have health and medical benefits along with short and long term disability (if they qualify) which are separate from workers’ compensation insurance. It is advisable to seek assistance from a workers’ comp attorney so you can obtain the maximum workers’ comp settlement available. They will also be able to make sure those payments don’t conflict with your state health plan, disability and retirement.