(Newswire.net — September 26, 2016) — When you show up to work on any given day, you expect to clock in, handle your responsibilities, and clock out. Unfortunately for thousands of Americans every year, something more serious happens between clocking in and clocking out – they get injured. If you ever get injured on the job, it’s important that you know your rights.
What is Workers’ Compensation?
“Workers’ compensation insurance is a type of insurance purchased by employers for the coverage of employment-related injuries and illnesses,” FindLaw explains.
The purpose of workers’ compensation insurance is to provide employees with the funds necessary to cover injuries and lapses in compensation that result from said injuries. From an employer’s perspective, the benefit of having workers’ compensation insurance is that – should the benefits be collected – the employee cannot file a lawsuit.
Here’s What You Need to Know
Since workers’ compensation is something that could affect anyone but is also a topic that most people aren’t’ familiar with, we’re going to help you out by highlighting a few of the things you need to know.
1. Who’s Covered?
Every state has different workers’ compensation laws, but the majority of employees are covered. However, some states will exclude non-traditional workers. These may include independent contractors, business owners, volunteers, and employees of private homes. Additionally, federal government employees are covered under the federal workers’ compensation insurance program. They are therefore disqualified from state programs.
2. Most Common Causes
Every workplace injury is unique, but the majority of workers’ compensation claims can be filed away under very similar headings. Here are a few of the most common issues:
- Slip, trip, or fall. Issues related to slipping or tripping are among the most common workers’ compensation claims each year. These claims typically arise from employees tripping on objects or slipping on wet floors or icy sidewalks.
- Overexertion. In jobs where employees are required to lift or move heavy items, overexertion frequently leads to back and neck injuries. These are most commonly seen in construction and factory jobs.
- Repetitive motion. While people generally think about isolated incidents when it comes to workplace injuries, thousands of workers’ compensation cases are based on repetitive motion. Examples of common causes include typing and using a computer mouse, working on an assembly line, driving a truck, and lifting boxes.
Each year, more than a million accidents happen in the workplace. While it can be frustrating to admit that you’re hurt, it’s important that you take action to protect yourself and your family.
3. What to Do if You’re Injured
If you’re injured on the job, then it’s important that you take the right steps. The very first thing you should do is seek out medical attention. Next, you’ll need to bring the accident to the attention of the appropriate parties.
“Report the accident to your supervisor immediately,” attorney Scott J. Sternberg says. “Accidents must be reported within thirty days of their occurrence. If you file a report or a claim outside this time frame, then you may be denied benefits altogether.”
After reporting the incident and filing the appropriate paperwork, meet with a workers’ compensation attorney to learn more about your rights. This will ensure you get the right care and are treated properly by everyone involved.
Know Your Rights
At the end of the day, it’s important that you know your rights. Workplace injuries are common and you shouldn’t “suck it up” and move on. If there’s a real issue – regardless of who’s at fault – you should be able to receive some financial compensation to cover your injury. Speak to an attorney in your area to find out more.