You got hurt on the job. This isn’t a unique story, but your injury is something you can’t brush off. You need to take it seriously.
Common workplace injuries can affect your quality of life. It only makes sense to seek proper compensation for your injury. Here’s what you should do first.
Know Who is Liable for Your Injury
First, you need to figure out who is responsible for your injury. More often than not, your employer is held responsible in some fashion.
If you operate machinery incorrectly, it may result in your injury. Your employer is still required to give your workers compensation. Your negligence does not mean that you are always responsible.
That said, if your common workplace injuries are intentional (you gave yourself the injury), you may find your workers compensation amount reduced. Maybe you are intoxicated or otherwise found in violation of workplace safety rules. You will also find your workers compensation amount reduced.
Look at Your Only Option
Seeking workers compensation for common workplace injuries may be your only option. Sometimes, a civil lawsuit isn’t an option against your employer. Your only real option after that is to pursue workers compensation for a workplace injury.
Workers compensation allows you to monetary compensation for your injuries, but you agree not to fault your employer. Your employer will pay for your workers compensation in return.
Some claims are exempt from workers compensation requirements. Your state will handle sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and discrimination claims differently. Be sure to check your state’s laws.
A workers compensation doctor will help you document your injuries for your workers compensation claim.
Know Whether Workers Compensation Covers You
Employers must buy workers compensation for their employees. However, not everyone is classified as an employee.
If you are an independent contractor, you are not eligible to receive workers compensation for your injury, even if you were injured at your place of employment.
There are other types of workers who may be ineligible for workers compensation. This includes agricultural workers, seasonal workers, domestic workers, and undocumented workers. This varies state by state. Check your state’s workers compensation laws to verify if you are one of those types of workers.
If Needed, Look for Other Options
Your workers compensation could like it won’t pan out well. You may have some other options to look into to compensate you for your workplace injury.
If you work as a federal employee (non-military), then the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act will cover your common workplace injuries.
Look into your specific industry for more information on workers compensation.
Don’t Write Off Common Workplace Injuries
You do not want to ignore common workplace injuries you may receive while working. If injured, you deserve proper compensation for your workplace injury. Your employer owes you that much.
Want to know more about workers compensation and health? Check out the rest of our website for more information!
