An accident in the workplace can be something as simple as bending over to pick up an item and injuring your back. Or stepping off of a curb in the company’s parking lot; these are things not necessarily the fault of the employer, but in both cases, you would have a legitimate workers’ comp claim.
If you are injured while on-the-job, you are entitled to 100% coverage of your medical bills. In addition, you will also be eligible for permanent, partial total liability.
Another thing is that the accident does not have to be the fault of the employer in order for you to file a claim. The accident must happen in the line and scope of your duties and during the course of your employment.
For example, if you suffer a back injury that requires surgery, this generates 5%-15% impairment rating, which translates into money. The same thing applies to finger, eye, hand and other injuries.
Here are some important things you should know about Workers’ Compensation:
- You must report your injury within 5 days of the accident.
- You cannot be fired for filing or pursuing a workers’ compensation claim.
- Any employer with five or more employees must provide workers’ compensation to you.
You do not have to prove that an accident was the fault of your employer, or a co-worker. You just have to have been injured on the job.
Filing for workers’ comp benefits is fairly easy at the beginning of the process; it is mostly paperwork. However, it will get complicated as you continue through filing your claim. You will want to hire an attorney who specializes in workers’ compensation cases.
If you have legal questions, please consult our Online Legal Directory to find an attorney in your area.