Understanding Workers’ Compensation

The following is a guest post by Colorado personal injury attorneys, Bachus & Schanker:

Being hurt on the job can create a confusing legal hassle in addition to the pain caused by the injury. There’s paperwork, documentation, potential loss of income. It can be a frightening time. The best way to create a positive outcome is to be as informed as possible, and seek help when you need it.

What is Workers’ Compensation?

Worker’s compensation, also called workers’ comp or workman’s comp, is a form of insurance that provides coverage to employees who are injured during the course of performing their jobs. For example, if someone is injured in a car accident, they are not entitled to workers’ compensation. But if that car accident occurs while the employee is performing a work-related task, then the employee would be able to file a workers’ compensation claim.

The dollar amount provided by a workers’ compensation claim vary based on factors such as the state in which the worker is employed, the amount of coverage provided by the policy, and minimum requirements levied by state law. It can be enough to cover medical costs and loss of income, or it may barely cover hospital bills. You need to know how well covered you are, and your state’s minimum legal requirements.

How Do You Get Workers’ Compensation?

When you are first hired to a new job, your employer should explain whether they offer workers’ compensation, and what to do in the event of an on-the-job injury. If an injury does occur during work hours or tasks, your employer’s human resources department should be available to help you fill out forms and file a claim.

But, you’ll also need to decide whether you want to file a claim at all. Your employer will most likely encourage you to do so because when you enter into a workers’ compensation agreement, it protects the employer from potential litigation related to the accident. Accidents happen, it’s true. But if an accident occurs due to some form of negligence on your employer’s part, you may be entitled to more money than a workers’ compensation claim would provide.

What Should You Do If You’re Injured On The Job?

Even before an injury occurs, you should familiarize yourself with your state’s workers’ compensation laws. But unless you’re well versed in legal terminology, those laws may be very complex and difficult to understand. Also, because laws can vary from state to state, it can sometimes be difficult to determine what you’re entitled to, or how to go about getting it.

Many states try to offer assistance in understanding these laws. For example, to help navigate the ins and outs of workers’ compensation, Colorado has established a Web site that provides information not just to injured workers, but employers and attorneys. Other states have branches of government dedicated to administrating workers’ compensation. But even with sites like this, it can be confusing to understand all the legalities and limitations. That’s where an attorney who specializes in workers’ compensation cases can be very helpful.

How Can An Attorney Help You?

A lawyer who handles workers’ compensation cases will sit down with you and explain, in plain English, what you’re entitled to, what your employer is required to do, and what the best course of action for you is. They’ll help you understand whether your injury is covered by workers’ compensation, and how to file a claim. In addition, a workers’ compensation attorney will be able to tell you whether you may be entitled to more money by filing a lawsuit if your employer was somehow negligent.

Don’t be afraid to explore your options. If you’ve been injured to the point where you’re unable to work, you still have bills to pay, and you still need to put food on the table. You must know what you’re entitled to, and how to go about getting it. Seeking help from an attorney will take much of that pressure and worry off your shoulders, so you’ll be able to recover stress-free while still supporting your family.

Bachus & Schanker, LLC is a personal injury law firm representing victims and their families in Denver and all of Colorado. Bachus & Schanker is committed to protecting the rights of people injured by the negligence of others. Bachus & Schanker on Twitter will keep you up to date on the latest firm news and information.