What Workers’ Compensation Does and Doesn’t Cover
Responsible companies take careful precautions to prevent employee injury, but even then accidents can still happen. When they do, it’s important to understand what workers’ compensation does and does not cover. Below is a list of common expenses and situations managed with workers compensation:
- Medical bills. When an accident or injury happens on a worksite and is related to work you’re doing, medical bills are usually covered by workers’ compensation if your employer has coverage. This includes treatment of the injury, physical therapy, and future treatment that your injury may require. Coverage of medical bills is one of the most important functions of workers’ compensation.
- Lost wages. After an injury, you may be out of work for days, weeks, months, or even years, depending upon the severity of the accident. In cases such as those, workers’ compensation could cover a portion of the lost wages that you’ve suffered as a result of the accident.
- Final expenses and death benefits. If someone is killed in a work-related accident, workers’ compensation may pay toward the final expenses of the deceased. Workers’ compensation may also provide a death benefit for the deceased’s dependents to give them the resources they need to carry on.
Workers’ compensation is an important tool for helping workers and their dependents recover after an accident. Unfortunately, there are some situations where workers’ compensation will not pay benefits. Common uncovered situations may include:
- Injuries obtained while commuting to work. Workers’ compensation typically does not cover injuries that you sustain while going to or returning from work. However, there may be situations, such as work-related travel and off-site work, where workers’ compensation does apply.
- Self-inflicted injuries. When a worker intentionally injures themselves, this may not be covered by workers’ compensation.
- Injuries off the clock. Workers’ compensation exists to help workers who are hurt on the job. It does not cover injuries that occur during off-hours or outside of work.
Types of Job-Related Injuries
Our workplace accident lawyers and OSHA violation attorneys are familiar with many types of workplace accidents. Some of the most common accidents include:
- Crane Accident Injuries. Cranes move heavy equipment and heavy materials. Even a small accident may result in catastrophic injury to workers on site.
- Construction Site Falls. Construction sites can be dangerous places, but that’s no excuse for lax safety equipment or procedures. A construction site fall may result in permanent injuries, time away from work, and even death.
- Machinery Accidents. The tools on a job site are powerful, heavy pieces of equipment. When equipment fails, workers may end up hurt.
- Nail Gun Accidents. Nail guns are essential tools on many construction sites, but they can be very dangerous. Nail guns can place a nail in the blink of an eye, but accidents can lead to life-threatening injuries.
- Scaffold Accidents. Scaffolding must meet OSHA regulations for safety and strength. When scaffolding is improperly constructed or has weaknesses in it, it may collapse, causing serious injury to those on the worksite.
- Stairway Collapse Accidents. During construction, many sites rely upon temporary stairways to help workers get around. These stairs often fail to meet safety standards and may endanger your health.
- Trench Accidents. Before construction ever starts, site managers must carefully plan the dig, instruct crews, and prepare the necessary equipment. When they don’t the result can be trench collapse, contact with underground pipes and wires, and life-threatening injuries for those involved.
- Oil Field Injuries. Oil fields can be hazardous work environments, and negligence by another can result in harm to you. Burns, falls, and other serious injuries are common, and often avoidable, at an oil field.
If you were injured in one of these or any other workplace accident, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation or a workplace injury lawsuit.
Understanding Construction Injuries and Complications
On-site hazards are plentiful and can lead to temporary injury and permanent disabilities. Severe construction injuries may include scarring, burns, paralysis, amputation, spinal cord damage, or even brain damage. Complications may also arise from what initially seems like a minor injury. More complicated issues like emotional distress could even affect your on-the-job performance in the future. These are all good reasons to protect yourself with help from our work injury lawyers.
By taking action immediately after suffering an injury and getting the medical attention you require, you can help prevent or anticipate future problems.
Accidents may also lead to a wrongful death of a loved one. If you’ve lost a loved one due to a workplace injury, don’t hesitate to speak with our workplace injury attorneys about your case. We understand how difficult the loss of a loved one can be and how it can throw your plans and the plans of your family into disarray.
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