Construction Accident Lawyer
After a workplace injury, many workers are entitled to workers’ compensation. As a Hauppauge NY Construction Accident Lawyer from a firm like Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, P.C. can explain, while workers’ compensation may not apply in every situation, it does in a majority of workplace injuries. How does workers’ compensation work? The following are some basics.
Purchasing the Policy
Your employer is responsible for purchasing a workers’ compensation policy. Many employers are required to by the state, though there are some requirements set forth. For example, in some states, only employers with five or more employees are required to purchase a policy. If you were the company’s only employee, you might not have coverage, but many employers purchase it regardless.
Workers’ compensation isn’t like a 401k or a health insurance plan. You won’t see a contribution from your paycheck and you won’t be required to pay any monthly premiums. Instead, your employer pays for the policy and it covers all qualified employees.
Using the Policy
If you are injured at work, you will first need to report the injury to your employer. Many states require that you do this within a specified amount of time, such as one week, but other states just ask that you do it as soon as possible. After you have reported the injury, your employer will need to file the claim with the workers’ compensation board. Not all employers are on top of it like they should be, so you need to stay connected to the process to ensure it gets done.
When you receive medical care or have to pay for other expenses related to your injury, keep good records of all documents and bills. You will use these documents to prove your case with the workers’ compensation board. If you are offered lower than you feel you deserve, you can use the documents and bills as evidence that you deserve more.
Workers’ compensation covers several types of damages. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, loss of the ability to make a living and other similar damages. Your lawyer can help you understand what damages you can seek after a workplace injury.
Contacting Your Workers’ Comp Lawyer
Workplace injuries can be difficult to deal with because of all the requirements that must be met, but that doesn’t mean you should give up trying. If you are injured at work, you should be compensated for those injuries. Contact a workers’ compensation lawyer today so you can get the help you need to obtain what you feel you deserve.