Did you suffer a severe injury at work due to an accident? Being seriously hurt and unable to work can have severe consequences for you and your family. The good news, there are several remedies to minimize these adverse effects and get the compensation you deserve.
To ensure you maintain your rights and file the appropriate claims, you should seek the help of personal injury lawyer services.
The incidence of workplace accidents in the U.S. is on the decline. Based on data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), worker injuries and illnesses dropped to 2.8% in 2017 from 10.9% in 1972. The decline is primarily due to the tighter rules implemented by OSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
However, you can still be a victim of an illness or accident, so it is crucial to know your rights and obligations.
What is Workers Compensation?
All states in the U.S. have a workers’ compensation policy to provide benefits to workers who suffer injuries at work. Generally, there are four types of benefits under these policies, namely, disability benefits, medical coverage, rehabilitation benefits, and death benefits.
As an employee, you should know your responsibilities and rights to pursue a workers’ compensation claim. The law protects you against potential reprisal or harassment from your employer. However, you must do your part to ensure the protection of your rights.
What are your legal rights when you suffer work-related injuries?
The rights of an injured worker vary on each state due to differences in the laws. However, there are several rights that are common in most of the state laws. Here are some of your legal rights:
- The right to seek medical treatment.
- The right to file an illness or injury claim in a state industrial court or workers’ compensation court.
- The right to return to work with the proper approval of your physician.
- If your illness or injury results in temporary or permanent inability to work, the right to appropriate disability compensation.
- The right to seek personal injury lawyer services in the process.
- The right to file an appeal if you dispute the decision of the workers’ compensation court, your employer, or your employer’s insurance provider.
How to Guarantee Protection of Your Legal Rights
There are several things you should do to ensure proper protection of your rights in case of work-related injuries. These injuries may include occupational illnesses, psychological damages, fractures, and aggravation of pre-existing conditions. Here are some steps you should do:
- Inform your employer about your injury through written notice or form within a specific period. Most state laws prescribe a certain allowable timeframe for the reporting of workplace injuries. To avoid any future legal issues, report your injury as soon as possible.
- File a claim in your locality’s workers’ compensation court or industrial court. To make the appropriate filing, you may hire a personal injury lawyer services provider to assist you. A licensed lawyer like those at Minnesota workers comp lawyers, for example, can help you in determining the maximum compensation you should get for your injury.
By taking these steps, you’re setting the automatic safeguards provided by your state law to protect your legal rights into motion. Make sure to do these the right way, so as not to jeopardize your efforts. To ensure you’re on the right track, hiring a competent lawyer to assist you is best.