Some Worker's Compensation Facts You Probably Never Knew

27 March 2015
 Categories: , Blog


Worker's compensation is actually an insurance policy your employer has to cover all employees for all medical problems that occur on or due to the job. Most people know that if you are injured while at work you can file a worker's compensation case to pay for your medical bills and any lost wages. However, there are some aspects of this insurance that most employees do not know. If there is any chance that your medical condition is in any way related to your job, contact a lawyer with experience in this field. You could end up receiving your pay for the whole time you are recovering; without using up any of your vacation time.

When the Fault is Yours

Worker's compensation is not at all like automobile insurance. It does not matter if you were the one to cause the accident and subsequent injury or not. If the injury occurred while you were at work you are covered. However, the insurance company may try to prove you caused the accident on purpose. Your lawyer will gather all the evidence to prove it was a true accident so you will receive the compensation you deserve.

Pre-existing Injuries

If you have a pre-existing injury that is further aggravated due to your work, the new damage is covered. An example would be an existing knee injury that gets worse because you tripped on something at work. In this case, if surgery is needed, the old damage can be repaired at the same time. However, you may have to pay for part of the medical expenses, or have your regular insurance cover your portion. An experienced lawyer can help determine just how much of the bill you will be responsible for.

Heart Attacks and Strokes

If you have a heart attack or stroke, and the cause can be attributed to the stress of your job, it will be covered by your employer's worker's compensation insurance. This is true even if you are currently taking medications for a heart or blood condition. However, it can be difficult to prove that work caused the stress that caused the attack. Your lawyer and doctor will work together to provide the needed evidence to win the compensation.

Any time you feel you may be entitled to worker's compensation benefits, the first thing you need to do is contact a lawyer (like those at Arrington Schelin & Munsey PC) to help you file a report with your employer. There must be a report filed within 30 days of the accident. This should be done for every minor incident that happens at work. You never know if the problem will escalate to you needing medical attention. You have a full year to apply for benefits, but only if the report was filed on time in the first place.


Share