If you have suffered injuries in your workplace, you need to report the incident to your superior or employer as soon as possible. However, what if your employer or their insurance provider tells you that workers’ compensation does not cover your specific injuries? If this is the case, remember that your employer and their insurance provider cannot make the final determination of your injuries’ eligibility for compensation. As an injured worker, you have legal rights that must be respected. Make sure to reach out to a workers’ comp attorney at Delventhal Law Office as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation and case assessment. The attorney can help you get benefits for the work-related injuries you have sustained.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation
The workers’ compensation system in Fort Wayne, Indiana allows injured employees to gain benefits like payment for their medical treatments and financial assistance if they are out of work. It protects employees by giving them the medical care necessary after an injury at work. The system does not consider whether or not the injured employee is at fault for the incident. Also, workers’ compensation insurance protects employees from lawsuits due to workplace injuries. But sometimes, a worker can file a lawsuit against their employer if the latter intentionally caused the former’s injury.
What Injuries Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?
With few exceptions, workers’ compensation covers the majority of injuries that happen in the workplace. This is the case even if a worker is at fault for the work accident that caused their injuries. But if the injuries resulted from their misconduct, workers’ compensation may not cover them. For instance, if the worker reported to work intoxicated or engaged in horseplay that the company strictly forbids, any resulting injury won’t be covered by workers’ comp. examples of covered injuries include broken bones, head trauma, amputation, neck injuries, burns, and back injuries.
In addition, illnesses that developed because of the work environment are covered by workers’ compensation. For instance, a worker who develops respiratory issues because of chemicals utilized in their job can seek compensation with their employer’s workers’ comp insurance. Cancer and hernias are also occupational illnesses that workers’ comp covers. Repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, and tendonitis are also covered.
What are Workplace Injuries?
An injury needs to be job-related to be covered by the workers’ compensation insurance of your employer. To determine coverage, the insurance company will consider whether the injury happened at work or in the course of the worker’s employment. This means that to secure benefits, your injuries must have taken place while you were performing the job duties or tasks you expected to complete.
For instance, workers’ compensation would cover a worker who has been in a car accident while delivering merchandise for their employer. But a worker injured in an accident during their launch hour wouldn’t secure compensation benefits. After sustaining injuries at work, you should report them to your boss and consult an attorney to determine if workers’ compensation covers them.
What is Somebody is Killed in the Workplace?
Workers’ compensation also covers work-related fatalities. The dependents of the deceased employee are eligible for some benefits under state law. Since this type of claim can be complex, claimants should consult with a lawyer to make sure they get the benefits they deserve due to their loved one’s death.
If you have sustained injuries on the job, you may want to work closely with a workers’ comp attorney to help you seek the benefits you need. Your attorney can answer any questions you may have about the workers’ compensation system in the state and can help you navigate the legal process.
