Workers Compensation Lawyers

Work related injuries can occur in almost any profession or occupation, no matter the perceived level of safety within the work environment. As workers compensation lawyers can explain, work duties that may seem relatively safe sometimes have the potential to cause injury or sickness that may be covered by workers compensation insurance. For instance, if you contract an illness from your place of work, and experience a loss of earning potential, you may be eligible to collect workers compensation benefits. 

We’ve created a breakdown of typical injuries or conditions covered under workers’ compensation and what isn’t covered. 

Injuries Workers’ Compensation May Cover

Physical injuries that happen during work may qualify you to collect workers compensation benefits. All you must do is prove that there is a direct connection between your place of work and the injury that was sustained. If you can do this, there is a high likelihood that you will qualify for workers compensation. 

OSHA, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration offers a list of common physical injuries people sustain as a result of their jobs. The list includes:

• Damages from slips or falls
• Bone fractures or breaks 
• Any muscle tears, sprains, or strains 
• Lacerations, cuts, or punctures 
• Conditions like tendonitis, back pain, or carpal tunnel caused by repetitive motions
• Electrocution 
• Becoming crushed or stuck between different objects
• Sustaining damages from an object or equipment 

These injuries are commonly sustained in the act of doing a job or being physically located in a job site or area where there are inherent risks involved. But there are other considerations to make regarding work-related injuries. For example, some jobs may require employees to drive or travel by automobile. If a crash happens that leads to an injury, you may qualify for workers compensation. 

Compensation for Job-Related Illness

Sickness can also qualify someone for workers compensation. For example – if a person develops black lung after working in coal mining. 

However, conditions like certain types of cancers, high blood pressure, or discovering an illness like mesothelioma later on in life can be hard to link to your job. Under such circumstances the knowledge and expertise of a workers compensation lawyer can prove to be invaluable for helping with the process of linking conditions to your job.

Expenses Workers’ Compensation Covers

Workers’ compensation can cover various expenses. Some expenses include but are not limited to the following: 

• Medical bills including both current and future, and physical therapy
• Disability benefits 
• Death benefits in the case where a worker is slain 
• Compensation for lost wages 
• Compensation for legal fees such as lawsuits

The central goal of workers’ compensation is to provide financial assistance to help the victim regain a sense of normalcy, making them feel “whole” and to help cover their immediate expenses during the time when they are unable to work. Sometimes the job of linking your injury or condition to your job can be challenging, but either way having a workers compensation lawyer is helpful.

Thanks to Cohen & Cohen, P.C. for their expertise in the area of workers compensation.