Workers’ compensation history goes way back! In ancient Sumeria, workers who were injured while performing duties will be given monetary compensation. The amount would depend on which body part has been injured. The code of Hammurabi in ancient Mesopotamia gave “rewards” to their workers if they were hurt.
Such law and code tell us something that we have to remind ourselves every day: workers are essential to our society and must be compensated well. But what is workers’ compensation? Who can get it?
Workers’ compensation (or worker’s comp) is a form of liability insurance given to employees who experience work-related injuries. The management is mandated to cover the medical fees of the injured employees. Sometimes, if the employee has been temporarily or permanently disabled, the management should provide disability payments.
Who Can Get Workers’ Compensation
Any employee—either remote or on-the-site—who claims to have suffered from work-related injuries can file for workers’ comp. If proven to be stating the facts, he should get the allotted compensation. Furthermore, resignation or termination after a work-related injury does not exempt you from medical coverage.
There are organizations and law firms that are offering assistance to anyone who wants to file workers’ comp. Experts from https://www.fendonlaw.net/ explain that the workers’ comp usually covers cases like lost wages, ongoing health conditions, and others. An article also stated that the injured employee could also be assisted in filing a lawsuit against management.
To add to that, these are the common claims or work-related injury:
● Slips, trips, or falls
Wherever you work, whether it’s just a small grocery store or a huge mall, this does tend to happen. It’s not an isolated case. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a unit of the U.S. Department of Labor, stated that there were over 882,000 cases of work-related injuries and illnesses in 2017. 35% comprises injuries resulting from sprains, tears, and strains. Moreover, the Bureau reported that more than 25% of injuries across all industries are caused by such accidents.
● Stuck-by incidents
This happens when a product or any object in the workplace falls from a higher level to the employee resulting in an injury. Any object whether it is small or big can result in a fatal injury if the employee was struck in a vital area. According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 2017, 20% of casualties in private industries were linked to construction jobs.
● Equipment and machinery accidents
Heavy equipment is common in construction jobs, warehousing, factories or any production industries, and whatnot. The machines do tend to fail and cause injuries or even death. Whilst the employers are specific with safety precautions, accidents as such are inevitable.
● Work-related illnesses
Apart from contracting diseases in your job, this also refers to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). As the name implies, it affects the muscles and bones (and anything in between such as tendons or cartilages) of the employee. Common examples of WMSDs are carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and thoracic outlet syndrome.
● Workplace violence
Claims as such should never be ignored as it often results in death. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that between 1992 and 2012 there are 140 government employees who were shot and killed by an upset employee. Gun violence is not the only problem in the workplace.
In an article by Inc., 54% of women do no report sexual harassment in their workplace. On the website of i-Sight, data shows that 81% of women have experienced sexual harassment. Most likely assailants are their seniors or anyone who holds a higher position.
How To Get Workers’ Compensation
When you claim that you have suffered from an injury or sickness when working, it has to be proven first. There will be medical examinations as well as court investigations involved in the process. The adjuster, usually an insurance agent, will be:
- Asking for a written account stating the details of your injury.
- Requesting you to sign a medical release authorization form so they would have a copy of the medical records related to your injury.
- Interviewing the employer about the incident to see if your accounts match.
There are some instances that the case seems unclear, you have the option to seek a legal opinion. With that said, there would be court intervention to investigate your claims. The outcome of the case will also be determined by the court.
While it is true that there are organizations like labor unions and whatnot to support a nation’s employees, the fight for labor rights should continue. Across the globe, workers of big companies are regarded as commodities, not human beings – and that is not right. Workers of all jobs keep industries alive. They run the economy.
