Workers’ Compensation often called ‘workers’ comp’ is a type of insurance that is purchased by employers for the coverage of their employees’ employment-related illness and injuries. While workers' compensation is mandated and governed by state law, some of the injuries that it covers will be different from state to state. But most commonly, any injury that arises “out of the course of employment” i.e. if you are injured or become ill doing something for the benefit of the employer, then your injury is work-related and you are eligible to receive the benefits as long as you meet other eligibility requirements.
Which Types of Injuries Are Covered Under Workers’ Compensation?
Although being eligible for workers’ compensation benefits may seem simple, at times it may get tricky. The following types of injuries noted below are covered under workers ‘compensation:
- Company Events: If a worker is injured during special events that are sponsored by the company, such as parties, picnics, baseball, or football matches, their injuries are usually covered by workers’ compensation.
- Travel: If you are injured while traveling (in the course of your job duties?) for your work, then your injuries will probably be covered, but if you are injured while commuting to or from your work, then such injuries are not covered under workers’ compensation. If you are a traveling salesperson who suffers an injury while driving to meet your client, then this type of injury is covered by workers’ compensation.
- Repetitive Motion Injuries: These types of injuries are also known as cumulative trauma disorders (CTDS) or repetitive stress injuries (RSIS) because they are caused by repetitive motions of the body, they are the most common type of work-related injuries, and therefore, they are covered under workers’ compensation.
- Injuries: Illnesses caused to the skin, eye, lungs, or any other bodily parts, because of long-term exposure to chemical solvents or other toxic and or hazardous solutions on the job, are covered under workers’ compensation.
- Related Injuries: Illnesses that gradually arise out of work conditions, such as emotional illness or stress-related digestive disorders are recognized by courts and covered under workers’ compensation. Workers who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after witnessing certain traumatic events are eligible for workers’ compensation.
- Workers’ Death: Dependents of an employee who is killed on the job or dies due to work-related injuries or illness are eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
- Misconduct: If an injury occurs when you break your office’s safety rules or while doing something that is prohibited by your employer, depending on the level of your misconduct, your injury may still be covered under workers’ compensation.
- Pre-existing Conditions: If you suffer from certain pre-existing conditions and your job duties have aggravated your condition, then your injury will probably be covered under workers’ compensation.
- Hearing Loss: People working in noisy environments, such as construction sites or manufacturing plants, often suffer from hearing loss over time. As long as there is no other obvious reason for such hearing impairment it is covered by workers’ compensation.
Workers Compensation Covers Most Types of Employees Including:
- Casual workers
- Volunteers
- Independent Contractors
- Employees of private homes
- Farmers and farmhands
- Business owners
- Maritime and railroad employees
Most of the accidents or injuries that occur at worksites are covered under workers’ compensation, but they can also bring about or cause potential lawsuits. If your employer is acting in a reckless manner and disputing your workers’ compensation claim, Contact the Law Office of Andrew S. Kasmer. Our dedicated and certified attorneys will evaluate your claim and offer you aggressive and personalized representation.