With a law degree under his belt and years of experience, Mark Scott set off to make the law more accessible to all. He decided to help people lost in the maze of legal terminology to find their way. Mark writes clear and concise pieces and gives simple advice that is easy to follow. On account of positive feedback from readers, he decided to dedicate more of his time to this goal and became a legal columnist. In his writings, Mark covers a wide array of topics, like how to seek legal counsel, or how to deal with different procedures. Furthermore, he directs his readers toward other trustworthy resources for more in-depth information.
What Does Workers’ Comp Cover After a Work-Related Injury?
Workers’ compensation claims cover many immediate injuries, illnesses, and long-standing injuries like repetitive strain. Workers’ compensation claims can even cover a Covid-19 infection contracted from necessary work with the public.
Generally speaking, if the injury or illness was caused by performing essential work, you could qualify for workers’ compensation.
Workers’ Compensation Coverage of illnesses and Injuries
You can receive workers’ comp benefits that cover medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation expenses for work-related injuries, disabling job stress, occupational illnesses, and infectious diseases contracted at work.
The list of compensable disorders and injuries include:
- Work-related injuries. If you are injured in a work-related accident, you qualify for workers’ comp. That includes injuries or illnesses caused by environmental conditions or performing necessary work at an offsite location too.
- Infectious diseases. You could contract infectious diseases if you work in healthcare or first-responder professions. Specific eligibility depends on your state and the specific circumstances under which you contracted the disease, and whether those match the state’s guidelines.
- Occupational illnesses. Some jobs are tied to certain medical conditions like black lung disease for mine workers. Workplaces routinely expose workers to toxins like asbestos, coal dust, benzene, chloroform, lead, zinc, formaldehyde, among others.
- Repetitive motion injuries. Repetitive strain and stress are well-recognized injuries affecting people performing assembly work and office work that involve using a computer. These injuries can be extremely debilitating and painful. They include conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic neck and back pain, and tendonitis. Factory workers, computer workers, coders, graphic designers, and professional caregivers are susceptible to these types of injuries.
- Pre-existing conditions. Just because you have a pre-existing condition doesn’t necessarily disqualify you from workers’ comp benefits. Scans can prove that your condition has grown worse and resulted in additional medical bills or enforced time off work. However, some states require that your benefits are reduced based on partial disability.
- Stress-related injuries. Long-term stress can make you atypically vulnerable to physical injuries. Medical experts routinely recognize a range of stressful conditions that can increase the likelihood of being injured. However, some states don’t recognize all claims for stress-related illnesses and injuries. For example, Louisiana only recognizes stress injuries that result in heart attacks in cases where exceptional levels of exertion are proven.
- Hearing loss. Working in noisy environments like construction and factories may result in compensable hearing loss — even if the loss is gradual.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many states award workers’ comp benefits to people with work-related PTSD. However, the traumatic event must have occurred while working. Examples of this kind of PTSD include a psychological inability to work after a holdup or murder at a convenience store or a mass shooting at a school or other public venue.
Just a cursory review of the covered conditions under workers’ comp laws clearly demonstrates the complexities involved. Your home state might not even require every business to offer workers’ comp to all employees, but most states do. Workers’ comp rules can still vary by state, and it’s best to get legal advice from an experienced local attorney about a potential claim.
Talk to Your Employer
Your employer should be willing to educate you about workers’ comp benefits, report any claim promptly, complete an injury or illness report, and file the appropriate claim on your behalf. So, talk to them if you are in a bind after being injured at work.
Get Local Legal Expertise
According to the Thumbs Up Guys, a team of personal injury attorneys in Charleston, SC, if you’ve been injured at work, it is best not to accept your employer’s insurance carrier’s initial settlement offer because that offer is usually much lower than you are entitled to, especially if you have been badly injured.
A personal injury attorney with expertise in workers’ comp claims can negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf with an insurer, ensure that you’re not harassed at work for standing up for your rights and help you navigate the appeals process if your claim gets denied.
What Does Workers’ Comp Cover After a Work-Related Injury?
Workers’ compensation claims cover many immediate injuries, illnesses, and long-standing injuries like repetitive strain. Workers’ compensation claims can even cover a Covid-19 infection contracted from necessary work with the public.
Generally speaking, if the injury or illness was caused by performing essential work, you could qualify for workers’ compensation.
Workers’ Compensation Coverage of illnesses and Injuries
You can receive workers’ comp benefits that cover medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation expenses for work-related injuries, disabling job stress, occupational illnesses, and infectious diseases contracted at work.
The list of compensable disorders and injuries include:
