Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

There are a lot of workplace injuries that qualify a person for workers’ compensation. Whether you cut your finger on a wire, fell down a staircase, or got hit by a car, almost any incident during your course of employment could result in workers’ compensation. If you’re not sure what this type of insurance is all about, the following should give you some direction.

Your Employer Pays for Workers’ Comp

Workers’ compensation isn’t a benefit with premiums that come out of your paycheck every month. Unlike health insurance, your employer pays for it. In most states, any employer with a certain amount of employees is required to have this coverage. If the company has fewer than that set amount of employees, the employer isn’t required to carry coverage, but still can.

Workers’ Comp Isn’t Based on Fault

Fault doesn’t typically play a role in determining whether you are entitled to workers’ compensation. If you’re working as a sous chef and cut yourself while dicing potatoes, the injury would technically be your own fault, but you would probably still qualify to receive workers’ compensation benefits. There are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, if you took the knife you were cutting potatoes with a purposely stabbed your forearm, you probably wouldn’t be able to receive compensation. If you showed up to work under the influence of alcohol and cut yourself while intoxicated, you probably wouldn’t be entitled to workers’ comp.

You Can Often Seek More Compensation Elsewhere

Even if you receive benefits through workers’ comp, you can often seek more compensation by suing another party. If your employer intentionally caused your injury, you could sue the employer. If another employee was acting negligently, which resulted in your injury, you could sue that employee. You could also file a lawsuit against a third party such as a cleaning company, a parts manufacturer or a driver who hit you on the road, as long as you were working at the time of your injury.

Workers’ Comp Covers More Than You Might Think

When you file a workers’ comp claim, you may think you’ll only be getting compensated for medical expenses, but that’s not always true. You can also claim lost wages and ongoing costs for care. If you’re the loved one of someone who died as a result of a workplace injury, you could seek funeral expenses.

Getting Your Lawyer Involved

Whether you’ve been injured on the job, are worried it might happen, or have lost a loved one after a workplace injury, you need to get the professionals involved. Contact a lawyer, like a workers’ compensation lawyer from Hickey & Turim, today for more information.