Workers’ Compensation

Injuries can occur in just about any type of work environment, including those that aren’t really considered risky or dangerous. The good news is workers’ compensation insurance exists to protect both employees and employers when injuries in the workplace occur.

Workers’ compensation can help you get through financially challenging times after you’ve been injured. You can receive money for medical costs associated with your injuries, as well as compensation for lost wages. The system that is in place is designed to support injured employees and make it easier for employers to manage workplace injuries.

What are Some Common Workplace Injuries?

Injuries of all kinds can happen in the workplace. They can happen because someone makes a mistake, someone is careless, working conditions are dangerous, or because a piece of equipment malfunctions.

Some of the most common specific workplace injuries include:

Neck and back injuries
Burns
Cuts
Slip and fall injuries
Lost limbs
Blindness
Loss of hearing
Illness

Even when an injury doesn’t seem that serious the effects can be debilitating. Take carpal tunnel syndrome, for instance. It’s not something that would be considered an emergency or tragic injury, but it could easily make it impossible to perform your work duties.

What If I Did Something that Led to My Workplace Injury?

Workers’ compensation payments are available even if your actions played a role in your injuries. It was created as a no-fault system, so it doesn’t matter how you were injured, as long as you were not behaving recklessly or doing something illegal.

Your workplace mistake will not cost you the opportunity to file for workers’ compensation, so it’s important to be honest and forthcoming even if something you did wrong led to your injury.

I’ve Been Injured at Work. What Now?

First and foremost, you should seek medical attention if you are dealing with an emergency.

If your situation is not a medical emergency, you’ll want to consult with your employer and file an official report about your injury. You have a limited amount of time to do so, but ideally you’ll do it immediately. Even if an injury seems minor, you need to alert your employer. They are legally required to file a First Report of Injury or Occupational Disease and if they do not do this after you’ve reported an injury, they can face civil penalties.

Whenever possible, visit a physician familiar with workers’ compensation claims. Obviously, if you’re rushed to the emergency room you’ll have little control over who treats you, but if possible, you’ll want to work with your employer to arrange medical care.

What If My Employer Gives Me Trouble or My Claim is Denied?

It seems cruel, but employers sometimes resist or try to deny your right to file a workers’ compensation claim. Some even retaliate against you for filing a claim.

Has this happened to you? If you are experiencing challenges even getting your claim filed, you need to seek legal guidance immediately.

Sometimes problems don’t arise until after your claim is filed. If you receive a notice from the State Board of Workers’ Compensation alerting you to a denial, don’t give up.

There is an appeals process for denied claims that includes several steps. It can be intimidating and confusing for those injured in workplace accidents, but having an attorney on your side makes things much easier.