Injuries Covered by Workers’ Comp
Workers’ compensation covers a wide range of injuries and illnesses that occur on the job or are caused by work activities. These injuries can be physical, mental, or emotional.
What are some common types of injuries covered by workers’ compensation?
- Physical injuries: These include broken bones, cuts, burns, sprains, strains, and hernias.
- Occupational diseases: These include illnesses caused by exposure to hazardous substances at work, such as asbestos, lead, and silica dust.
- Repetitive stress injuries: These include injuries caused by repetitive motions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.
- Mental health conditions: These include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety caused by a work-related traumatic event.
In general, workers’ compensation will cover an injury or illness if it meets the following criteria:
- It arose out of and in the course of employment. This means that the injury or illness must have occurred while the employee was working and must have been caused by the work.
- It was not caused by the employee’s willful misconduct or intoxication. This means the employee must not have been intentionally injured or intoxicated at the time.
- It resulted in disability or death. This means that the injury or illness must have caused the employee to miss work or die.
There are some exceptions to these general rules. For example, workers’ compensation may not cover injuries that occur while the employee is commuting to or from work, or injuries that are caused by the employee’s personal activities.
If you have been injured or become ill from work, contact an attorney to discuss your rights and options. An attorney can help you determine if you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits and can guide you through the claims process.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Contact us today to discuss your specific situation.