You’ve probably heard that insufficient sleep has been linked to many physical ailments, such as obesity or diabetes, but did you know poor sleep has been shown to increase your likelihood of suffering a personal injury at work?

According to a study published on WebMD, researchers pooled data from 27 separate studies that included over 268,000 working adults. By looking cross-referencing questionnaire data with patient records, researchers concluded:

  • People with sleep difficulties were roughly 60% more likely to suffer an injury at work than people who received an adequate amount of sleep.
  • Individuals who had sleep apnea or took sleep medicines had the highest chance of suffering a work injury.
  • Surprisingly, the risk of suffering a work injury related to poor sleep was less likely for individuals with labor-intensive jobs (such as industrial or construction workers) than the average collection of all workers.
  • Overall, researchers estimate that 13 out of every 100 work injuries can be linked to poor sleep.

Researchers felt their evidence was strong enough to establish a direct correlation between sleep disorders and an increased likelihood of suffering a work injury. They added that their data did not include driving-related work injuries, which, as we’ve documented in the past, can be a tricky situation in determining if a person is entitled to work comp benefits. Had they included this data, researchers felt the rate of injury could have been even greater.

Workers’ Compensation Attorney 

A person who suffers from sleep apnea or some other diagnosable sleep disorder may qualify as a disabled person under the Minnesota Human Rights Act. Sleep is a major life activity, and the inability to get sufficient sleep is a significant physical impairment that can adversely affect one’s ability to work.

A disabled person under the Minnesota Human Rights Act may be entitled to additional rights and protections within the workplace and, in the event of an injury, certain workers’ compensation benefits. If you suspect that you have a sleep disorder, it is important that you consult with your doctor.

If you have questions about how your sleep disorder might affect your workers’ compensation claim, call or text the workers’ comp lawyers at 612-INJURED at (612) 465-8733 for a free consultation.