Workers in Virginia who deal with syncope may face a greater risk of workplace accidents, according to the American Heart Association. Syncope is a condition in which a person experiences fainting spells. Workplace incidents related to the condition could increase the risk of job loss. Specifically, syncope sufferers were 1.4 times more likely to experience a worksite accident and twice as likely to lose their jobs.
This was according to a 2008 to 2012 data set that included 3.4 million Americans aged 18 to 64. Researchers also found that younger workers who had syncope and another condition such as depression or were lower on the socioeconomic scale were even more vulnerable. Manual laborers were most likely to experience injuries such as internal bleeding, fractures and amputations.
Researchers who contributed to the study did acknowledge that there were limitations such as not enough information about work environments or health behaviors. The lead author of the study said that the condition may be managed with a change of job duties. For instance, those with syncope may be better off not operating heavy machinery. Furthermore, the author said that the condition could be managed and that workers should be properly monitored to ensure their safety at work.
If a worker is hurt while on the job, they might be entitled to compensation for their injuries. For instance, it could be possible to have medical bills covered. This may help pay daily living expenses or other costs during recovery. Those who have had a workers’ compensation claim denied or feel like they have not been treated lawfully may benefit by talking to an attorney.