How Teachers Actually Get Hurt at School

Teaching's overall injury rate is lower than average. Some risks are higher than you might expect, though.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, school teachers had 85.0 injury and illness cases involving days away from work, job restriction or transfer per 10,000 full-time workers in 2021 to 2022. The rate for all occupations was 180.5. So teaching sits below average overall, but the breakdown is telling:

• Falls, slips and trips. These were the most common cause for teachers, at 31.8 cases per 10,000, close to the all-occupation rate of 36.3. Think wet hallways, icy bus lanes, cluttered classrooms and playground duty.

• Violence and other injuries by persons. Teachers saw a rate of 20.0 per 10,000, twice the all-occupation rate of 10.0.

The violence numbers will sound familiar to anyone who has worked in an elementary building. In 2020 to 2021, a year when many classrooms were remote, 4% of public school teachers reported being physically attacked by a student, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Among elementary teachers, that figure was 7%.

A NIOSH analysis of emergency room visits by school workers adds another detail. In more than a quarter of intentional injuries by students, the worker was breaking up a fight or restraining a student. NIOSH also notes that ER data capture only part of the injuries school workers experience.

Other common situations include:

• Lifting supplies, furniture or students who need physical support

• PE classes, coaching and recess games

• Field trips, where the terrain and the routine are unfamiliar

• Moving between buildings in bad weather

Mistake 1: Waiting to Report It

This is the big one. A teacher twists an ankle, figures it's minor, and mentions it to no one until it swells up three days later. By then, nobody saw it happen and there's no written record.

Many districts expect injuries to be reported right away, often to a principal, supervisor or school nurse. Reporting rules come from state law and district policy, so they differ from place to place. Pennsylvania's Bureau of Workers' Compensation, for example, tells injured workers to report the injury to their employer immediately and warns that failing to notify can delay or deny benefits.

A quick report costs you ten minutes. Skipping it can cost a lot more if the injury turns out to be worse than it felt.

Mistake 2: Skipping Medical Care

Plenty of teachers skip the doctor to avoid writing sub plans. That habit can backfire after an injury.

If something hurts, get it looked at. Back strains, concussions and wrist injuries can seem mild at first and get worse later. A medical visit also creates a record that links the injury to the date and the event.

Ask your district how medical care works for work injuries before you book an appointment. Some states let employers require initial treatment from a list of approved providers, while others leave the choice to the employee. Your HR office or benefits coordinator can tell you what applies to you.

Mistake 3: Not Writing Anything Down

Memory fades fast during a busy school week. Start a simple file the day it happens, even if it's just a note on your phone. Useful things to keep include:

• The date, time and exact location

• What happened, in plain words

• Names of anyone who saw it, including other staff

• Photos of the spot, such as a broken step or a puddle

• Copies of any incident report you filed

• Doctor's notes, work restrictions and receipts

• A short daily log of symptoms and missed work

If a student was involved, follow your school's procedure for documenting the incident. Keep student names off social media, and ask your school how to handle student details in your own records.

Mistake 4: Guessing How Workers' Comp Works

Workers' compensation is the system that can help cover medical costs and lost wages for many people hurt on the job. For public school teachers, it's handled at the state level, so the rules vary by state.

Details also vary by district and contract. A few things to look into:

• Your district's injury policy. Many districts have their own report forms and a named contact person.

• Your union contract. Some teacher contracts include assault leave or other provisions for staff injured by students.

• Your state's workers' comp agency. Many have plain-language guides for injured workers online.

Some claims are simple. Others are not, and it helps to know where to turn if you're injured at work and the claim gets complicated. Common sticking points include a denied claim, a dispute over whether the injury happened on the job, or pressure to return before you're ready.

Your union representative is another good resource. Many reps have walked colleagues through this process before.

Mistake 5: Rushing Back to the Classroom

Most teachers want to get back to their class fast. Returning too soon can turn a short recovery into a long one.

Talk with your doctor about what you can safely do, and get any limits in writing. Restrictions might include no lifting, no recess duty or limited standing. Share those with your district so your schedule can reflect them.

When you return, a few small adjustments can help:

• Ask whether a colleague can cover duties you can't do yet

• Rearrange your room so supplies sit at waist height

• Keep a stool or chair within reach if standing is hard

• Check in with your doctor if symptoms come back

If an injury involved a student, expect it to take a while to feel normal. Being hurt by a child you care about can be upsetting. Talking to a counselor, an employee assistance program or a trusted colleague can help.

A Quick Checklist to Keep in Your Desk

Print this and tuck it in your top drawer. You'll probably never need it, but if you do, you'll be glad it's there.

• Report the injury the way your district requires, as soon as you can

• Ask for a copy of any incident report

• Get medical care, and ask HR how care for work injuries works

• Write down what happened and who saw it

• Keep every medical note and receipt

• Read your district policy and your union contract

• Follow work restrictions when you go back

You take care of a room full of kids every day. If you get hurt, the paperwork matters almost as much as the recovery.

This article was contributed by Munley Law, a personal injury firm based in Pennsylvania.