Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured or gotten ill from your workplace, you may have a lot of questions. If you don’t believe your injury is serious, you might be tempted not to report it and keep working. On the other hand, you simply might not know the best procedure. Do you just tell a few of your co-workers? Do you need to report it to your boss or should you just go to the hospital to treat your injury? Many people have these questions and more about workers’ compensation and the best procedure after an accident. For more information, read on.
Are All Injuries Or Illness That Happen At Work Covered By Workers’ Compensation?
Most injuries and illnesses that are the result of your work would be covered under your employer’s workers’ compensation benefits. However, there are a few injuries you could expect not to be covered. These are:
- Self-inflicted injuries
- Injuries that were a result of being on drugs or being intoxicated
- Injuries that were the result of breaking the law
- Injuries that you sustained from a co-worker through a personal attack that was not related to your job
- Depending on your employment policy, if you were traveling to or from work or if you were on a break at work, injuries might not be covered
What If My Job Requires Extensive Travel Or I Do Not Have a Specific Office Location I Work Out Of?
Many times, if you lack a specific place to work or if you frequently travel for your job—such as a traveling consultant—workers’ compensation benefits can kick in if you are on the road and on the clock. This means that if you are traveling for work and were injured in a car accident, you could be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Will Workers’ Compensation Cover Repetitive Motion Injuries?
Many employers’ workers’ comp benefits will cover repetitive motion injuries—like carpal tunnel syndrome—if it can be proven that they got this injury from work-related activities.
Will I Get Fired For filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
No, you cannot be fired for filing a workers’ compensation claim. However, other reason for being fired can crop up, such as taking an extended leave of absence, even if you needed to take this as a result of the injury you sustained at work.
What If My Claim Has Been Denied?
Even if you followed the proper procedure, it is not unheard of to have your workers’ compensation claim denied. There are many reasons your claim might have been denied, but one of the best things you can do in this situation is to discuss your case with your work injury lawyer. An attorney knows that a denied claim can be frustrating, but they can help you appeal your denied claim.
