Injured at Work? How to Receive Workers’ Compensation for Your Injury
If you are injured on the job and cannot return to work, your employer is responsible for covering any medical bills and time off that is necessary through workers’ compensation. However, despite your legal protections, your case may not be so simple. It is important that you choose the right lawyer to fight your battle for you so that you truly receive all you deserve for your injury.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation provides financial assistance to anyone injured while at work. Under Indiana law, every Evansville employer is required to offer full-time employees workers’ compensation. Notably, this excludes contract workers.
What Is Medical and Disability-Related Leave?
In many cases, the person injured will require time off of work to treat any injuries. This should typically be covered under workers’ compensation. This time is granted for the injured to undergo any necessary surgeries, keep any doctor’s appointments, and even receive mental health treatment if necessary. In addition, this allows the injured person to completely heal so they do not return to work too soon and further progress the already existing injury. Different states mandate different amounts of paid leave.
What Is Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?
FMLA is a federal law designed to assist workers after an injury, providing them up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year under multiple circumstances including serious health concerns or the need to care for someone else in your family with serious health concerns.
While you could be granted time through FMLA, you should explore options through workers’ compensation first, because you may be entitled to paid leave instead, at least at first.
Do You Qualify for Workers’ Compensation?
There are a few key factors that can determine whether or not you qualify for workers’ compensation:
- You must be a direct employee of the company: This means that you must be a direct W-2 employee of the company, and in some cases, you must even be a full-time employee.
- Your employer must carry workers’ compensation insurance: The vast majority of employers are required to have workers’ compensation. Before you take a job with an Evansville company, this is something you should verify.
- Your injury must have occurred on the job: You must be able to directly link your injury or illness to the job and provide a doctor’s verification.
Help from an Evansville Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you were injured at work and denied workers’ compensation, you could be entitled to compensation through the law. However, it is essential that you hire the right attorney to fight on your side. Contact Hensley Legal Group today for a free consultation or contact us online.
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