Insomnia linked to workplace accidents

A study is linking insomnia to workplace accidents, according to an article published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Most people would probably guess that a lack of sleep makes one more prone to accidents, especially in a workplace that involves physical tasks like a factory or construction site. However, the study also noted that insomnia-related accidents were more costly on average than accidents caused by other factors.

In fact, insomnia-related workplace accidents cost an average of $32,062, compared with $21,914 for accidents with other root causes. In total, insomnia is estimated to cost about $31.1 billion in workplace errors and accident costs alone. There are about 274,000 errors each year as a result of insomnia.

New Jersey readers might not realize how common insomnia is, but 20 percent of 10,000 people surveyed said that they had suffered from insomnia for at least one year.

People who are injured at work for any reason may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation for the time that they are unable to work. Workers’ compensation can also cover medical expenses and other costs associated with the injury. In some cases, workers who are injured on the job as a result of unsafe conditions or negligence on the part of a coworker may also be able to recover in a personal injury action, depending on the nature of the injury and the workers’ compensation benefits agreement. In either case, it’s important that workplace accident victims know that they have a right to compensation from their employer.

Source: The Huffington Post, “Insomnia costs $31.1 billion in workplace errors and accidents each year,” Oct. 8, 2012

Our New Jersey law firm handles workplace accident and workers’ compensation claims. More information is available on our website.