One of the questions employment or injury attorneys often get is one that is simple, but carries a lot of weight: What happens if I get hurt at work? Getting hurt on the job is scary because not only are you worrying about your injury and your medical bills, you’re probably also wondering about the proper procedure for getting those medical bills paid for. But fortunately, there are attorneys who work almost exclusively in this area of the law (although they have the same general training as all other lawyers) and who can help you figure out what to do if you get hurt at work. There are basically two systems under which your injury may be covered:
- Workers Compensation
Workers compensation is a kind of insurance that covers on-the-job injuries and illnesses for certain kinds of jobs. (For some kinds of work, you may not actually need to be on the premises to be covered.) Workers comp is a no-fault system, meaning that it doesn’t matter who caused the accident. If you get hurt at work, you’re likely eligible. Keep in mind that different states may have different laws regarding workers compensation, so if you’re hurt in Arizona, for example, you’ll want to find an Arizona workers compensation attorney.
- Personal Injury Law
If your employer has been negligent — meaning the company has not followed safety standards established by law, or has otherwise created unsafe working conditions — then you should explore personal injury law. If you can prove that your employer caused the accident or allowed it to happen through inaction, then you may be able to get a better settlement than you would under workers comp.
Also remember that both these systems apply not only to acute injuries, but also illnesses. For example, you might be able to file a claim if mold on the premises caused chronic breathing problems.
Do you have any other questions about getting hurt on the job? Ask and join the discussion in the comments section.