On The Job Injuries
What Workers Should Know About On-The-Job Injuries
Emergency staff in safety suit help a man who has knee injuries from accident in factory workplace, First aid training in industrial company.
On-the-job injuries are common. If you have an injury or illness due to your job, you may be entitled to money under workers’ compensation laws. The injury may be from a single act (like hurting your back in a fall or getting in a car accident while making deliveries) or from constant exposure to activities or substances at work (like hurting your wrist from doing the same motion repeatedly or losing your hearing due to constant loud noise).
Workers’ compensation laws help make sure that workers have enough money to care for themselves and their families while they are out of work. They also help injured workers get well so they can return to work. Almost all businesses are subject to workers’ compensation laws.
The heart of the workers’ compensation laws is the benefits they provide to injured workers. The employer, not the worker, pays for these benefits. There are different kinds of workers’ compensation benefits you may receive, including money to replace some of your lost wages and medical benefits.
If you suffer a work-related injury or illness, there are steps to take to help make sure you receive all benefits. They include:
Report the injury to your employer promptly. Any delay could cause you to lose benefits.
Fill out a claim form. Employers must notify injured workers of their eligibility to receive workers’ compensation benefits. But remember your employer’s interests differ from yours, and your employer likely won’t help you get benefits. It is therefore important to call us promptly after the accident to learn your rights and be helped through the process.
Do not refrain from making a claim for fear of punishment from your employer. It is illegal for your employer to punish or fire you for having a job injury or filing a workers’ compensation claim.