On the Job, Workers can get injured as a result of their attire. High-Heeled Shoes have long been considered as a possible source of work place injuries. Injuries from High-Heeled Shoes can occur in a variety of ways and impact a multitude of parts of the body.
This article will discuss High-Heeled Shoes, the theories of industrial causation of High-Heeled Shoe related injuries, and injuries caused by High-Heeled Shoes.
What Are High Heeled Shoes?
High-Heeled Shoes are footwear in which the heel is farther off of the ground in comparison with the toe. They are considered aesthetically appealing and are commonly worn in professional settings. As a result, many women wear them in the workplace. The alternative type of shoe is called a “flat.”
What Types of Medical Conditions Can High Heeled Shoes Cause?
There are High Heeled Shoe injuries which relate to those wearing them. With these type of shoes, there are issues concerning falls, issues concerning the impact on the prolonged use on the foot, and issues concerning the biomechanics of gait on other parts of the body. Thus, physical injuries from shoes can range from toe to head. Specific conditions caused by the footwear usage include hallux valgus and osteoarthritis. Barnish MS, Barnish J High-heeled shoes and musculoskeletal injuries: a narrative systematic review BMJ Open 2016;6:e010053. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010053
Many pathologies are associated with wearing high heel shoes mainly in the lower extremity including blisters, callosities, heel spur, bunions (hallux valgus) in the feet which is mainly due to the altered ankle joint axis and altered arch angle, pain in the calf muscle, knee and hip joint. Younus SM, Ali T, Memon WA, Qazi A, Ismail F. High heel shoes; outcome of wearing in young generation: a cross sectional study. Professional Med J 2014;21(4): 798-803.
Also, similarly the spine is also adversely affected resulting in back pain which is mainly due to exaggerated spinal flexion. Younus SM, Ali T, Memon WA, Qazi A, Ismail F. High heel shoes; outcome of wearing in young generation: a cross sectional study. Professional Med J 2014;21(4): 798-803.
There has been study concerning women wearing high heel shoes in department store in which hallux valgus deformity was found more common in those workers than those who wore flat shoes. Soemarko DS, Rahmasari F, Kamal AF, Cahayadi SD. Hallux valgus among sales promotion women wearing high heels in a department store. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery. January 2019. doi:10.1177/2309499019828456 It was noted that “The long duration of work with wearing high heels puts more pressure on the metatarsal, which increases the risk of HV” Supra.
What is the Legal Theory That Makes High Heel Injuries Industrial?
The legal theory behind most High Heel injury claims is that workers’ compensation is a “no-fault” system. Thus, a person’s decision to wear high heels at work is not necessarily of import. The issue is more that the high heels were in fact worn and work and it was the wearing at work which was the cause of the physical condition. Thus, the work activities which wearing the shoes is of import. See US Airways vs. WCAB (2002) 67 C.C.C. 1243 (writ denied.) Applicant was found to have left foot injury due to continuous trauma of having to wear high heels on the job. Applicant had a medical-legal opinion that supported it.
Secondary High Heel Injuries? Bystander Injuries?
Besides injuries to the workers wearing high heels, This can include being injured as a result of a first party fall, being stepped on by a high heel shoe, and being assaulted by a pair of high heels. Barnish MS, Barnish J High-heeled shoes and musculoskeletal injuries: a narrative systematic review BMJ Open 2016;6:e010053. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010053
What Would be the Controversies in Such Injuries?
In matters involving High Heels, case analysis will focus on the usage of the shoes in the workplace. If a cumulative trauma injury is alleged, an analysis will be done as to the nature and extent of the shoe usage in the workplace. Likewise, there will be an inquiry as to the nature and extent of the usage of the shoes outside of work.
What Is I am Having Problems?
It is recommended that you seek medical attention. An opinion indicating that the usage of the shoes in the workplace is a causative factor towards one’s musculoskeletal disorder, then a workers’ compensation clam should be considered.
What if I Need Advice?
If you would like a free consultation regarding workers’ compensation, please contact the Law Offices of Edward J. Singer, a Professional Law Corporation. We have been helping people in Central and Southern California deal with their workers’ compensation cases for 27 years. Contact us today for more information.