Even with the best safety precautions in place, many employees still get hurt at work. Those workers that sustained a severe injury may not be ready to return to work. These employees might have very high medical bills and no way to pay them. In these kinds of work related injury situations, the employer may be pushing to make the hurt employee return to work before the employee feels ready. Some injured workers get fired and are left with no monetary means to support themselves or pay the rising medical bills for their necessary medical care.
With a few exceptions, employers are required to provide worker’s compensation insurance to cover those employees that get hurt on the job. Each state has varying laws that determine the details of worker’s compensation insurance for that region. Many times, the employers are allowed to request a certain medical group to handle the injury cases. A hurt individual’s doctor that is treating the injury may try to push the individual to go back to work sooner than the individual is ready. The employer might threaten to fire the injured party if they do not comply with back to work demands.
When an individual gets injured while at work, he/she needs to report the injury immediately to their supervisor. The individual should fill out the necessary forms to ensure coverage of the injury. Medical attention should also be sought as soon as possible. Most of the injured on the job cases will qualify for worker’s comp., but there are some exceptions. If the employer can prove that the employee was acting against company safety policies, that case may disqualify the injured party from receiving worker’s compensation benefits. A lawyer specializing in personal injury law should be hired promptly.
If qualified, an individual typically receives 2/3 of their regular salary under workers compensation. In situations where an individual is not covered by this insurance, they might qualify for state disability benefits. When looking for a reputable personal injury attorney in Iowa, individuals should ensure that the attorney has experience with workers compensation or state disability claims. Having an experienced attorney can drastically improve the odds of winning these types of claims. The injured worker should save all communication with employer that relates to their case. Any documentation from treating physicians needs to also be kept for proof of claim.
Some employees that receive workers compensation benefits may wonder if they are allowed to sue their employer. Typically the answer is no. This insurance basically ensures that the person cannot file such legal litigation. Consult with an attorney well versed in personal injury laws. There are some situations that might apply. If the employee can prove that the employer acted recklessly in regards to employee safety, the individual can take the case to court and perhaps win more money as pain and suffering can then by established. Employees hurt due to faulty equipment or product might also be able to sue in court for damages.
Hiring a competent personal injury attorney can take some of the stress off the injured person. These lawyers are able to counsel their clients through this sometimes complicated process. Personal injury lawyers provide support and excellent legal representation in workers compensation cases.
