Injuries During Office Building Evacuations

 Posted on December 31, 2024 in Workers' Compensation

Office work is generally one of the safer careers. There is no heavy machinery to get caught in. There are no hazardous materials that could detonate or harm people if not handled carefully. Desk workers almost never have a reason to climb a ladder, handle power tools, or stand in the roadway. However, office workers are not immune from all workplace hazards. One common risky situation office workers may encounter is a building evacuation. Office buildings may be evacuated for any number of reasons, from a fire drill to a potential gas leak. Evacuating an office building, especially during an actual emergency situation, can come with risks. If you were injured during a workplace evacuation, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. An experienced Hollister, CA workers’ compensation attorney can help you file a claim.

Why Are Office Buildings Evacuated? 

Most people who spend their careers working in an office will experience several evacuations throughout that time. Office workers may be ordered to evacuate the building during a fire drill as a precaution when a safety alarm is triggered or occasionally due to an actual ongoing emergency such as a gas leak. Bomb threats are an increasingly common cause of workplace evacuations for white-collar workers.

What Types of Injuries Happen During Evacuations? 

Because it is unsafe to use the elevators during an emergency, everyone in the building must try to exit using the stairs all at the same time. Crowded stairways are often the main source of danger during standard evacuations. When workers are not told in advance that there will be a drill and people believe there may be a real emergency, people are often in a rush to get out. Since workers who would normally use the elevators due to physical limitations are also using the stairs, this can lead to human traffic jams. People can be inadvertently knocked down, pushed into others, or even crushed against walls or railings.

If the building is being evacuated due to a genuine active emergency, people can also be injured by the condition that has triggered the evacuation. If there is a fire, smoke inhalation is often a greater danger than burns, although when burn injuries do happen, they can be devastating. If the overhead sprinklers are activated, slipping and falling can become a serious concern. Carbon monoxide is another common danger in older office buildings. When there is an active leak, people can quickly become sick or lose consciousness due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Contact a San Benito County, CA Workers’ Compensation Attorney 

Cramer + Martinez is committed to helping office workers who have been injured at work. Our experienced Hollister, CA workers’ compensation lawyers will do all we can to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at 408-848-1113 for a complimentary consultation.