A Brief Guide on Workers’ Compensation

From incidents such as a fractured bone or arthritis to the most unfortunate cases, up to and including death, both employees and employers should know the basic information and tools regarding employee claims and workers’ compensation.

Can Incidents Be Avoided?

Below is a list of accidents, injuries, and conditions that employees may encounter during the course of their work:

• A crushed part of an employee’s body while operating heavy machinery
• Falls from buildings, or slips in accident-prone areas
• Getting hit by hazardous objects
• Muscle strains, like back pains
• Traffic accidents
• Severe fatigue

Workers need to give full effort during daily toils, and it is possible for them to overexert in the process. It goes without saying that every hard worker is vulnerable to accidents and injuries.

The Additional Challenge of Unemployment

Workers are also often worried about losing their jobs, and they face uncertainty about gaining secure employment. Some would take three part time jobs, and these would still not be enough to pay off the bills. Welcome to the all-time high of economic uncertainty.

As if stable and regular was not enough, another challenge that workers face today is the lack of proper coverage throughout incidents. What would an employee typically have if he or she ends up acquiring an injury in between jobs? How would she be able to gather proper compensation, if part time jobs would have lesser support when it comes to accidents or health conditions?

The Law on Compensation for Workers

In many countries, such as Australia, the U.K., Canada, and the U.S., employees have the right to recover an amount for damages as a result of an injury. If a worker encounters a seemingly minor incident, this should not be ignored. This is especially true if the perceived minor pain would end up recurring.

At the onset of the incident, it is imperative that the worker gets checked, so as to see the severity of the situation. The examination’s results should be recorded and well documented for the employee’s reference. If the related pain would recur, then this would be the proper situation to seek for professional counsel. This should be applicable if the worker has the certainty that the recurring pain was acquired due to the related incident.

Related Article: What is Workers Compensation Insurance?

Every employee has the basic right to contest for a possible harm that may have been done during their labor. This should then be properly compensated, as prescribed by local law.

The Wiser Mindset

The next time that familiar aches and pains may get in the way of doing a job, or a significant accident has taken place within the confines of work, it is wise to consult with a compensation solicitor and lawyer. It makes practical sense to identify the legal claims that should be covered for an employee.

Author: Anna Francesca Rosales is a Digital Content Specialist who is working with Carew Lawyers, which specializes in personal injury law in Queensland, Australia. She was working as a marketing specialist for a famous coffee company and has worked with them for a number of years. Her previous experience along with her current knowledge has made her know the importance of a company’s employees as well as their rights. She is currently studying personal injury law to understand how company’s staff can be treated better.