Most any occupation in San Diego, California, can pose a risk to employees, though the type of injury varies. Stats show the injury rate for retail workers from 2015 to 2018 was 3.5 per 100. There are certain types of injuries associated with retail work that could entitle victims to worker’s compensation benefits.
Repetitive stress injuries
A common workplace injury is carpal tunnel syndrome, an injury that affects the carpal tunnel in the palm. This injury is commonly caused by repetitive motion, such as using a cash register or a computer.
Some retail employees may experience a trigger finger, or a finger staying bent in one because of inflammation. Another type of repetitive stress injury is bursitis or inflammation of the joints. These injuries commonly occur from improperly lifting boxes, which strain the shoulders and wrist.
Slips, trips, and falls
Like customers, employees are prone to slips and falls from hazards, such as cluttered aisles and wet floors. Slips, trips, and falls are one of the leading reasons for filing a worker’s compensation claim. Stats from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that 27% of nonfatal work injuries in 2018 were related to slip and falls.
Since employees often use sharp tools, such as knives, they risk getting cuts and scrapes that may cause nerve damage. Another problem is overexertion, which represents 31% of nonfatal work injuries, causing employees to miss work and costing employers over $13 billion annually. Overexertion often occurs from working until fatigued or going beyond a person’s skill level and experience.