Unfortunately, millions of workers are injured on the job every year. Even scarier, thousands die while working during the same time period. Though there isn’t much you can do about that (except try to stay as safe as possible), you should be eligible for worker’s compensation if you are hurt while you are working.
What kinds of jobs are people hurt at?
Though most people think about construction jobs when they think of work injuries, the truth is that no job is completely safe. Even those with desk jobs can have injuries. Here are some jobs that have injuries:
- Farming and agricultural
- Mining
- Factory
- Office jobs
- Hospital and nursing homes
- Hospitality
- And much more
What kind of injuries are common at job sites?
Worker’s compensation covers many different injuries including:
- Injuries that occur due to slipping and falling
- Carpal tunnel, along with back and neck stiffness due to sitting at a computer all-day
- Burn and electrical shock that may occur at a construction site
- Back injuries due to lifting improperly
- Accidents that occur while driving on the job
Why is worker’s compensation so important?
Worker’s compensation is necessary so that you can get the medical care that you need, without having to worry about paying for your bills. Your medical bills will be covered by worker’s compensation. You will also receive a portion of your income that you will be missing if you are unable to go back to work right away. This should lift some of the burdens off of your shoulders so that you can take care of your health.
If you are worried about talking to your employer, you shouldn’t be. The company that you work for has insurance that will pay for your worker’s compensation. It is not coming directly out of their own pocket.
What should you do if you get hurt at work?
- The very first thing that you need to do is tell someone about it. You need to report the accident or injury to your supervisor or boss. He or she should then access the situation and decide how you should proceed.
- Then, you need to get the medical care that you need. You are going to need to make sure that you get the medical care that you need, whether you go right to the emergency room, call an ambulance, or just go to an urgent care center as soon as you can. If you wait, you may only be making the situation worse.
- You also need to follow all of your doctor’s instructions so that you can make a full recovery. Once you have seen the doctor, you need to listen to what you are told. If you need medication, take them as directed. If you need to go to therapy for a few weeks (or months), make sure that you show up. If you are able to work, even with restrictions, go ahead. That being said, if you need to take some time off to heal, it is important that you do so.
- Don’t be afraid to talk to a lawyer. It never hurts to have a lawyer on your side, especially if the company is fighting worker’s compensation. Your lawyer will make sure that you are taken care of during this time.
Unfortunately, the simple truth is that people get hurt at work every day and it can be devastating. Though some are minor, others require time in the hospital and weeks off of work. That can really be hard on people, especially those that live paycheck to paycheck. Lucky for you, worker’s compensation should take care of your medical bills and some of your pay to help you stay current on your bills.
Don’t hesitate to contact us today if you were injured at work. You deserve to take the time that you need to heal, without worrying about your finances. We can make sure that you are taken care of during this difficult time.