Disabilities can stem from a wide variety of situations. While some are born with them, others can acquire them later in life. A mental condition, a serious illness or an injury could be the source. With regards to injuries, the workplace is a common culprit. A serious accident in the work environment could easily debilitate an unsuspecting employee. Thus, it is not only important to be aware of these situations but what an employee can do if they find themselves in these situations.
Being injured on-the-job can pose many difficulties. One of them is living with a disability. A workplace injury could result in temporary or permanent disabilities, which could make it difficult or impossible to work. However, those living with a disability are likely to find themselves in certain industries over others.
Based on current statistics, 5.4 million individuals with disabilities were employed in the U.S. in 2016. It was also found that those with disabilities were more likely to work in service industries when compared to those without disabilities. It was also found that workers with disabilities were more likely to work in production, transportation and material moving occupations when compared to those without disabilities.
In contrast, those living with disabilities were likely like to work in management, professional or other related occupations when compared to those living without disabilities. While some of these jobs might be the workplace where the debilitating injury occurred, it could also be the only type of work the disabled worker can currently work in.
If you have suffered a workplace injury and are suffering losses and damages because of it, it is important to understand your rights. This could mean seeking workers’ compensation benefits or even applying for Social Security disability benefits. Becoming more informed could help an injured worker take the proper steps to protect their rights and interests.
Source: Bls.gov, “Workers with a disability more concentrated in service occupations than those with no disability,” Oct. 10, 2017