While the laws that cover workplace injury vary from state to state, there are some commonalities that all workplaces must attempt to offer employees. Every workplace should be trying to keep the environment not only clean and safe but also healthy. Workplaces cannot always make everything perfect, but they must always make every reasonable effort to try and achieve safety perfection. However, at times, people may still end up hurt while on the job. This can lead to an injury claim with the insurance company and the injured person needing some time to recover from the injuries.
What Types of Injury Constitute a Workplace Injury?
When an injury occurs within the workplace, the first thing that must be done whenever feasibly possible is to report the injury as close to when it happened as you can. This includes all injuries, from minor cuts to slips and falls, broken bones, or even psychological illnesses brought about by the working environment. Other types of injuries that could constitute a workplace injury can include the aggravation of a pre-existing condition, injuries that come from repeat actions that must be taken at work, sprains, strains, and in even more extreme cases, dismemberment or paralysis.
What Options Do Employees Have When Injured on the Job?
Once injured in the workplace, a doctor must be consulted to determine the extent of the injuries. At that point, a determination can be made if there is a need to file a worker’s compensation claim. Injured parties have the right to file claims when their injuries are going to require a doctor’s care or time away from work to recover. Asking your physician what the recovery will be like for your injury is important so you know how to file your paperwork properly. If you are unable to file the paperwork yourself due to your injuries, you can also have a lawyer file it on your behalf. Employers cannot try and convince or bride you to avoid filing a complaint so they can avoid the potential increase in premiums, as that is illegal, but if they do try, you have the right to refuse these unwanted advances. Before signing anything, just make sure you have fully read and understood everything on each piece of paper, and make sure there are no blank spaces that someone may fill in later within the information that may not be accurate.