Common Misconceptions About Worker's Compensation

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Worker's compensation is a type of insurance plan that employers have and which covers the medical and other such expenses of their workers if they're injured on the job. Filing for worker's compensation is your right if you've been injured on the job, and only an attorney can tell you if you have a valid claim to this type of compensation. However, note a few misconceptions you should keep in mind about worker's compensation and then discuss these with an attorney so you better understand your legal rights.

Types of injuries suffered

Don't assume that you're only entitled to worker's compensation if you're injured in a fall or from having something on a jobsite hit you. You may be entitled to worker's compensation for things like hearing loss due to long-term exposure to loud sounds without proper hearing protection. Breathing in dust and other such toxins might damage your lungs, and if your employer was responsible for providing you with breathing protection, you may have a worker's compensation claim.

You also don't want to assume that injuries that happen during the normal course of your job are ineligible. If you work in a medical setting and are lifting a patient and injure yourself, you may be eligible even though that's part of your job. Rather than assume that your injury isn't one that is eligible for reimbursement, talk to a lawyer and he or she will advise you instead.

Jobsite

It's also not good to assume that you need to be injured on an actual jobsite to be eligible for compensation. As an example, if you drive for your job, you may be eligible for a worker's compensation claim from an auto accident. If you're a visiting home healthcare worker, you may be eligible if you're injured in the home of a patient. As with the injury itself, don't assume about your eligibility, but talk to a lawyer instead.

Returning to work

It's typically recommended and even required that you return to work as soon as you're able; not returning to work might actually damage your case, as this might signal that you're not doing what you can to heal. Your doctor will tell you when it's safe and what type of work you can do, but don't assume that staying home will help with your compensation claim. Regular physical activity can often be beneficial for healing, and your willingness to stay active may be considered when it comes to the validity of your claim. Talk to your lawyer if you're concerned about returning to work while still injured, rather than assuming you should just stay home.


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