According to national labor statistics, about 15 workers lose their lives each day due to workplace injuries and illnesses, and another 15,600 are injury. That equals one workplace death or injury every five seconds in the US. Because of the possibility of injury or death in the workplace.
Every state and district of the USA has the policy to award workers’ compensation to the injured worker.
Most workers are cover through state or separate laws for federal employees, railroad workers, seafarers, dockers, and shipyard workers.
The workers’ compensation system requires employers to provide certain benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or diseases. The system operates under three major principles.
- The employee is entitle to benefits regardless of employer or employee fault. That gives employees the security of benefits available even when there is no wrongdoing by the employer.
- The benefits available to the employee are limit and not include. Some of what the employee might recover in courts, such as pain and suffering. That protects the employer against large judgments that might be award in a jury trial.
- The workers’ compensation system provides the exclusive remedy to the injured employee.
- Meaning the employee cannot sue the employer in court for negligence.
Workers’ compensation Factors
Workers’ compensation generally covers injuries “arising out of and in the course of employment.
” That means the employee must establish a connection between the job and the injury.
Depending on the state, certain injuries may be excluded from coverage. For instance, purely mental injuries may not be covered, and an employee who was intoxicated at the time of the wound or injury may be denied benefits.
The workers’ compensation system’s coverage of workers is broad, but there are statutory exclusions. For instance, farmworkers, household workers, and executives in closely held corporations may not be covered.
In addition, in some instances, an employer may argue a worker is not an employee.
But an independent contractor that is not covered by the employer’s compensation plan.
If you have been injured at work, immediately contact your employer to let them know about the accident. If you do not report the injury on time.
There is a chance that you will forfeit your right to receive monetary and medical compensation.
Work Method
Always see a doctor if you have been injured at work.
Though you may not believe the effects to be long-lasting, certain injuries.
Such as internal organs or tissue damage may be immediately apparent.
In addition, if you do not see a doctor while the injury is related to work, there is always a good chance that you will be forced to pay for medical bills out of pocket.
Workers’ compensation allows for payment for both temporary disability and permanent disabilities that result from work-related activities.
In addition, workers’ compensation is also available for an employee’s spouse and children in the unfortunate case of a worker’s death.
The Workers’ Compensation Act varies from state to state. Follow the link to see a list of worker’s compensation laws by state.
Federal Workers, Longshoremen, and Harbor Workers
Federal employees are subject to federal workers’ compensation laws, not those of the state they reside in.
The Longshoremen and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act provides compensation benefits to approximately 500,000 workers for disability due to an injury.
An employment-related occupational disease occurring on the navigable waters of the United States, or in adjoining shoreside areas, and for certain other classes of workers covered by extensions of this act.
Filing for workers’ compensation is very important if you face injury on the job.
The money and medical care you receive while injured will allow you and your family a comfort zone while you recover.
Without workers’ compensation benefits, the threat of debt accumulating from medical bills and loss of wages can be astounding. If you have been denied or don’t want to get workers’ compensation.
You can appeal and request an appeal or hearing before your state’s workers’ compensation agency or board.
Whether filing for the first time or appealing.
A workers’ compensation attorney can be invaluable in saving you time and money.
If you are being deny benefits or feel that you are not receiving the full amount that you’re entitle to. Please contact a qualify workers’ compensation lawyer who can help you determine the amount that you should receive for disability and provide you with sound legal advice.
Find more information in the given infographic about Workers’ Compensation;
