Teachers and school employees dedicate their careers to educating and supporting students, but schools can also be hazardous workplaces. From lifting students and classroom equipment to slips and falls, workplace violence, and repetitive stress injuries, educators and school staff face injury risks every day.

At Stern & Cohen, we represent teachers, paraprofessionals, teacher aides, school nurses, custodians, cafeteria workers, administrative staff, and other school employees who have been injured on the job. If you suffered a workplace injury while working in a school, our Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorneys are ready to help.

Common Causes of Teacher and School Employee Injuries

Schools are busy environments where employees are constantly moving, supervising students, and responding to unexpected situations.

Common causes of teacher and school employee injuries include:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Falls on stairs, hallways, or school grounds
• Lifting or assisting students
• Repetitive standing, walking, and classroom activities
• Workplace violence and student assaults
• Playground and gymnasium accidents
• Lifting classroom supplies and equipment
• Sports and extracurricular activity injuries
• Motor vehicle accidents during school-related travel
• Repetitive stress injuries

Teachers and school staff may suffer injuries both inside the classroom and while supervising activities throughout the school day.

Common School Employee Injuries

School employees can experience both traumatic injuries and conditions that develop over time.

Common teacher and school employee injuries include:

• Back injuries
• Neck injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee injuries
• Wrist and hand injuries
• Herniated discs
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Fractures and broken bones
• Concussions and head injuries
• Repetitive stress injuries
• PTSD and psychological injuries following workplace violence

These injuries can make it difficult for educators and school staff to continue performing their job duties.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Teachers and School Employees

Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits may be available if you were injured while performing your job duties at a school.

Workers’ compensation benefits may cover:

• Medical treatment
• Surgery and hospital bills
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Prescription medications
• Wage-loss benefits
• Specific loss benefits for permanent injuries
• Workers’ compensation settlements

Whether your injury occurred in a classroom, cafeteria, gymnasium, playground, school bus area, or administrative office, you may be entitled to benefits.

Workplace Violence and Student-Related Injuries

Unfortunately, workplace violence has become an increasing concern for teachers and school employees. Injuries caused by students, parents, visitors, or other individuals may still qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.

Covered injuries may include:

• Physical assault injuries
• Concussions and head injuries
• Psychological injuries and PTSD
• Injuries sustained while intervening in student altercations
• Injuries caused while protecting students or staff

These incidents can result in both physical and emotional trauma requiring ongoing medical care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can teachers receive workers’ compensation in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Most teachers and school employees are covered by Pennsylvania workers’ compensation and may qualify for benefits after a work-related injury.

Are injuries caused by students covered by workers’ compensation?

Yes. Injuries sustained during student interactions, including physical assaults or injuries that occur while supervising students, may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.

Can teachers receive workers’ compensation for slip and fall injuries?

Yes. Slip and fall accidents that occur while performing work duties at a school may be covered by workers’ compensation, including injuries sustained in classrooms, hallways, parking lots, and school grounds.

Contact a Pennsylvania Teacher Injury Lawyer

A workplace injury can affect your ability to teach, support students, and continue your career in education. At Stern & Cohen, we help injured teachers and school employees pursue the workers’ compensation benefits they deserve.

If you were injured while working as a teacher, school employee, paraprofessional, school nurse, cafeteria worker, custodian, or administrator, contact Stern & Cohen today for a free consultation.