$10 piece of equipment could’ve saved $128K in compensation benefits

HR Morning 11 August 2011 by Christian Schappel

The brief article illustrates the potential financial benefits of applying ergonomics. I would add that the employee in question also suffered significant physical harm.

"Angela Grott, a finance clerk at the Menard Correctional Center in Illinois had requested a headset for her phone. The reason: She often had to type while speaking on the phone. Her request was denied, and she carried on with her work — holding her phone receiver in the crook of her neck for hours at a time while typing."

Grott started to suffer from severe neck, shoulder and arm pain and headaches. She underwent surgery in an attempt to relieve her pain. The medical bills came to $128,424 for medical bills and Grott received $7,304 for 12 weeks of temporary disability pay. She may even be able to claim a permanent partial disability claim, which be more than $100,000.

And a headset would have cost about $10.