When a person suffers a major injury at work, they will likely face a variety of costs that can have major impacts on their quality of life. Workers' compensation policies can be an effective form of protection against these damages, but there are some important pieces of information that workers should review to ensure they understand this protection.
1. Not Every Job Qualifies For Workers' Compensation Protections
It is common for individuals to assume that any employee of any business will be covered under workers' compensation policies and laws. However, there are many businesses and workers that will be exempted from this type of coverage. For example, some industries are not obligated to carry this type of coverage for temporary or seasonal workers.
Also, some states have laws that exempt small businesses from needing to invest in this coverage. It is possible to review your state's laws concerning workers' compensation coverage. In addition to providing clear information about the types of businesses and workers that are covered under these plans, you can also review information about the process of submitting and reviewing a workers' compensation claim. By having this information, you can better protect your rights if you suffer an injury in the workplace.
2. Retaliation Against Workers That File Claims Is Illegal
Some workers that suffer injuries will be intimidated about filing a workers' compensation claim as a result of fearing that they will be fired. However, the law is very clear that retaliation against workers that file these claims is illegal. If a business owner were to engage in this practice, their workers would likely be able to pursue the matter in a civil lawsuit while also reporting the business to the local government. Unfortunately, if you suspect that you have been the victim of retaliation over your workers' compensation claim, you should retain any copies of correspondence to back up your claim and schedule a meeting with an attorney to discuss the situation.
3. An Attorney May Not Always Be Necessary To Get Your Claim Approved
Another assumption that is commonly made about workers' compensation claims is that they will always require the use of an attorney. While it is generally advisable for a person to retain an attorney at the start of the filing process, it is not always necessary. In fact, many workers will find that their claims are processed and approved with little difficulty or challenge. However, if a problem arises or the insurance wrongly denies the claim, the services of an attorney can be invaluable as you appeal to fight the decision.
For more information, contact your local workers' compensation attorney.
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