Oklahoma companies as well as their employees may be interested to learn that people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to get hurt during work. A Canadian study has found that patients with sleep apnea were almost three times more prone than other employees to become injured due to inattentiveness or lack of careful vigilance.
The study team analyzed data from more than 1,200 patients who had been screened for apnea at a British Columbia clinic between 2003 to 2011. Of these patients, 994 were diagnosed with sleep apnea. Over the course of five years, the records showed that more than 110 patients, about 9 percent of the study group, were injured at work. Those whose sleep apnea was more severe were even more likely to become injured. Only about 5 percent of the patients who did not have sleep apnea suffered work-related injuries.
It is estimated that 22 million people around the U.S. suffer from this disorder. It causes people to wake up multiple times each night as their airways become blocked. Most people with this sleep disorder do not remember waking up but they may feel tired throughout the day.
Workplace accidents can result in serious injuries to those who are involved, leading to the need for medical care and treatment and extended absences from work. Many Oklahoma employees are eligible to file a claim for benefits under their company’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage. The process is time-sensitive, and as a result, having the assistance of an attorney when preparing the claim can often be advisable.