Workers compensation is a very important option to have. A lot of people do not anticipate that they are going to get injured at work, but if it happens, it is good that they have this option. After all, no one wants to have to pay their own money for an injury that they acquired when they were supposed to be getting paid.
If you want to learn a lot more about workers comp, you might have many questions. For example, you might wonder, what do I need to know about workers rights in terms of workers compensation? What state provides the best workers compensation for employees? Who is a good person to go to if I have compensation questions? What is the average cost of workmans comp insurance where I live? In my area, do I get paid for workers comp? Someone who has a lot of experience with workers compensation will likely be able to answer most of your questions for you. A workers compensation attorney would be one example. It would also be a good idea for you to do some independent research, so that you can become knowledgeable on the topic before you even talk to a professional.
If you have filed for workers compensation, you are not alone. Consider the following statistics:
- $60.2 billion was paid out in workers compensation benefits in 2011
- $58.2 billion was paid out in workers compensation benefits in 2010li>
Of these amounts, 70% of the compensation costs go toward wages and salaries. The other 30% of the money goes toward other benefits. These numbers, of course, represent the times when workers compensation settlements went well. Many other people who are injured at work are not so lucky. For workers who are denied benefits, contacting workers compensation lawyers is often the first step toward getting the assistance that they need. In fact, in many instances a workers compensation attorney may be the only defense you have against an unfair claim dismissal.
As workplaces dedicate more an more of their budgets to work safety and training programs, few people expect to go to work and get hurt. In some situations, however, job hazards do occur and when this happens employees should expect to be protected.
What Careers File the Most Workers Compensation Claims?
Some jobs are more commonly known for people getting hurt at work. Not surprisingly, police and other types of security officers are the people who are more frequently in the news for being harmed on the job.
On the other end of the spectrum, however, nurses and other hospital employees are another group of workers who find themselves in need of workers compensation benefits more frequently. In fact, nursing assistants and orderlies as a whole suffer roughly three times the rate of back and other musculoskeletal injuries as construction workers.
Perhaps because it is even more difficult to move patients than it is heavy construction materials, nurses often find themselves the victims of injuries that they incur at the work place. Although entire departments are given the task of training employees how to stay safe at work, accidents do happen when patients fall or lose their balance. Even more common is the danger of an injury caused by repetitive tasks. Even with the proper assistance and appropriate safety straps and belts, moving patients can be difficult, dangerous and heavy work.
Likewise, schools are another place where work place accidents can happen. With the number of employees in a building combined with the number of students, schools see more than their fair share of accidents. If a school or hospital correctly processes an workers compensation claim no extra advisement is needed. If, however, a claim is denied, many workers compensation lawyers recommend seeking legal advice.
Some Work Related Injuries
- Slips, trips, and falls. Many workplaces have tile or linoleum floor that can become very slick when it gets wet. Companies that do not have a thorough plan for maintenance can be found at fault if a slip, trip, or fall is caused by an unsafe, uneven, or unstable surface.
- Repetitive motion. Although they can happen in any line of work, repetitive motion injuries are often seem in hospitals where nurses are required to do frequent lifting and other repetitive tasks.
- Fall to a lower level. Construction sites that are not properly marked can be a location where these accidents occur. If employers are not careful in following all of the safety guidelines, their carelessness can lead to your injury.
- Workplace violence. Employees should feel safe when they go to work. Having the proper steps in place to dismiss ineffective employees is one procedure that employers can take in protecting the rest of the work place staff.
When Should I Call Workers Compensation Lawyers?
While many employers will assure you that their workers compensation staff will make sure that you are taken care of it you are hurt at work, those employers are often trying to avoid additional costs. By contacting workers compensation lawyers first, as soon as you are hurt, you can make sure that you are getting advice for someone who is looking out for your best interest. Not just the interest of the company. Workers compensation lawyers, for example, can often offer very thorough advice about what to expect in recovery and therapy times after a specific accident.
If you are injured at work, contact your own legal advice to make sure that you receive the benefits you deserve.
