Developed countries around the world demand that all business owners subscribe to a workers’ compensation scheme to ensure that any worker who suffers at the hands of their job gets adequate compensation and care for it.
At times, these cases get complicated and a lawyer’s involvement may be required.
Before jumping into the legal aspects of compensation, let’s go over what workers’ compensation is.
What is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a special brand of insurance. It serves to protect employees (and businesses) from financial losses in the following cases:
- When the employee gets sick from a work-related cause. For example, people working in radioactive labs or chemical factories are always at risk of developing chronic or short-term illness owing to radiation and chemical exposure.
- When the employee is hurt on the job. For example, laborers working at construction sites are always at risk of experiencing physical injury.
The fundamental aim is to protect workers from the potentially harmful aftermath of an injury or sickness they developed through work.
What is Covered Under Workers’ Compensation?
The following elements are typically covered under workers’ compensation insurance:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Ongoing care costs
- Funeral expenses, if needed, stemming from work-related deaths
What Is Not Covered Under Workers Compensation?
- When an employee gets hurt or sick as a result of a fight that they started themselves, despite it being on company property
- If an employee picks up an injury due to being intoxicated while on the job (drugs, alcohol, etc.)
- Intentional injuries
- Emotional injuries not stemming from physical workplace trauma
As an employee, if you have experienced any valid injury or developed sickness due to being on the job, you need to alert your employer immediately.
When to Get a Lawyer Involved
Sometimes, some workers’ compensation cases are not as straightforward as others. If you begin to face complications or find yourself in a tricky situation where it’s difficult to explain the reasoning behind your claim, or if your employer begins to give you a hard time, it’s best to find a lawyer.
In short, call a lawyer if:
- Your injuries are not clearly work-related (you need help proving it)
- You require extensive medical treatment
- You may have to take a long break from work (and feel like you should be financially compensated for it)
- You have become permanently disabled
A lawyer can help you secure things like:
- Paid leave
- Free medical treatment for your entire time at the hospital
- Tools or accommodations at work to help you deal with the disability
- Coverage in case you won’t be able to work again in the future due to trouble with recovery
Final Thoughts
The workers’ compensation claim process is easy for workers to navigate. However, things can go wrong at times, so it’s good to lawyer up if needed.
If your case doesn’t include injuries that are work-related, you won’t be able to make a valid claim for them even with a lawyer by your side. So, make sure that your case is valid before contacting an attorney.