Workplace Injuries

Workplace injuries are a burden both for the injured person and the company. The cost of time spent off the job and the cost of any necessary medical treatment can hurt both the employee and the employer. When an employee has an accident at work, they are required to report that injury to their employer. If the accident is determined to have been caused by an action performed on the job, the employer is responsible for any medical costs and lost wages that result from that accident. Employers carry a specific kind of insurance to cover such accidents (Workers’ Compensation insurance). Unfortunately, many employers try to avoid taking responsibility for accidents that happen on the job. In some companies, an employees’ accident claim will be immediately rejected. A company representative will attempt to convince the employee that the injury is not actually related to the performance of their job.

Employers avoid responsibility for accidents for a variety of reasons. One reason is that business with fewer reported accidents can get lower worker’s compensation insurance premiums. Workplaces with few reported injuries are less likely to be audited by OSHA (the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and companies that compete for government contracts may find it easier to get those contracts if they have a better safety record. There have been many reported cases of companies that have actively endangered their employees’ health by forcing them to go back to work too soon after an accident. In other cases, employees have reported being fired for reporting accidents, and still others have been disciplined or fired for speaking up about safety hazards on the job.

So what should you do if your worker’s compensation claim is denied by your employer? Start at your company’s HR department. If they are not helpful, you may have to look for outside help through a lawyer or a state agency. There are many lawyers who specialise in workplace injury claims, and many of them do not charge you unless you win your case. The specific guidelines vary by state, so make sure that any information you find online or in a publication pertain to your area.

Workplace injuries do not have to mean the end of your career. If you’'ve been hurt on the job, stand up for yourself and find out more information at http://www.alexanderharris.co.uk. Get the medical attention and compensation that you need and make sure your employer accepts responsibility.