What Injuries Are Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

Workplace injuries can be extremely frustrating. When you’re injured at work, complete control of the aftermath is out of your hands. You’ll need to see approved doctors, share medical information with a variety of people, and depend on the system to provide financial compensation for your injuries.

The good news is this, if approved, this compensation goes a long way in relieving the financial burden of your injury.

How do you know if workers’ compensation applies in your case? Here’s what to consider.

What Types of Injuries Can Workers’ Compensation Cover?

Workers’ compensation can cover many different types of workplace injuries. Some happen in a single accident, while others develop gradually.

Some of the most common types of injuries that occur in the workplace include:

• Back and neck sprains and strains
• Broken bones
• Cuts and burns
• Injuries due to slips, trips, and falls
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Hearing loss caused by workplace noise
• Illnesses or health conditions caused by exposure to chemicals or other workplace hazards

Remember, workplace injuries don’t always occur while sitting at your desk or at a construction site. Don’t assume that workers’ compensation only applies if you fall at work or a piece of machinery burns or cuts you.

Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Injuries That Develop Over Time?

Yes. Workers’ compensation is not limited to injuries that happen in a single accident.

Some employees develop medical conditions after performing the same physically demanding task repeatedly. Others may develop an illness after prolonged exposure to a substance or workplace condition.

These situations can sometimes be more difficult to identify as work-related because there may not be one specific accident to point to. Medical evidence and information about your work activities may become particularly important when establishing the connection between your job and your condition.

What If You Were Partly Responsible for the Injury?

Workers’ compensation generally operates differently from a personal injury lawsuit. You typically do not have to prove that your employer was negligent to receive workers’ compensation benefits.

That means an employee may still have a valid workers’ compensation claim even if the injury resulted from an accident or mistake on the job. There can be exceptions and circumstances that affect eligibility, however, so you should not assume that fault automatically determines whether you qualify.

What Does Workers’ Compensation Pay For?

Depending on the applicable law and the circumstances of the injury, workers’ compensation may provide benefits for reasonable and necessary medical treatment. It may also provide partial wage replacement when an employee cannot work because of a qualifying workplace injury.

Some employees may eventually be able to return to work with restrictions or modified duties. Your doctor and employer may need to communicate about those restrictions and what work you can safely perform.

What Should You Do After a Workplace Injury?

Tell your employer about your injury as soon as it occurs. If it’s a gradually occurring injury, let them know as soon as you recognize any symptoms. Make sure you follow the procedures they have in place to deal with workplace injuries. Make sure you tell any doctor you see that the injury is work-related.

Also make sure you hold onto copies of accident reports, medical records, bills, correspondence, and other documents related to the injury. It’s also smart to keep track of conversations with your employer about the accident, your treatment, and your ability to work.

Do not assume that an injury is too minor to report. Some conditions become more serious after the initial accident, and waiting can create problems when you later need to establish what happened.

When Should You Talk to an Attorney?

Workers’ compensation is intended to provide benefits after qualifying workplace injuries, but disputes can arise over whether an injury is work-related, how serious it is, what treatment is necessary, or what benefits an employee should receive.

If your workers’ compensation claim has been denied, your employer disputes that the injury happened at work, or you are having difficulty obtaining appropriate benefits, an attorney can explain your rights and help you understand your options.

We’ll help you learn more about workers’ compensation and discuss your situation with an experienced attorney. Contact us to speak to an attorney.