Anyone who has worked in the construction industry knows how dangerous it can be. When you are working with heavy machinery and potentially hazardous materials, there are many ways in which you could suffer a catastrophic injury. If that were to happen to you, you would likely want to know what your options are for paying for all of the costs that come with serious workplace injuries.
Workers’ compensation laws exist to protect workers
Workers’ compensation is a program put into place specifically to protect the rights of workers that suffered an injury during the course of their work duties. After an injury, workers often have to deal with expenses such as medical bills, which can be a challenge when they can’t go to work due to their injured state. Workers’ compensation gives workers the ability to receive payments that they need to get their life back on track while they are recovering.
Typically, if you get hurt while working, you won’t have to bring a lawsuit against your employer. This is because the law requires employers to pay for workers’ compensation insurance to provide coverage for their employees, and in return the employees accept workers’ compensation benefits instead of suing their employers directly – unless exceptional circumstances apply that make suing their employer necessary.
How it works
Before you begin the process for obtaining workers’ compensation benefits, you should seek medical care. Even if you don’t feel like you need to go to a doctor, it’s a good idea to get a medical examination so that you have a record of your condition. Keep all documentation related to your medical care.
Massachusetts has state offices where you can file for workers’ compensation. Your employer most likely has the forms you need, and an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you to fill them out and file them correctly. Make sure you act quickly, as workers’ compensation claims have time limits.
After you finish your application, you should receive weekly compensation until you can go back to work. Workers’ compensation also covers your hospital visits, medical care and prescription drugs connected to your recovery.
Suffering a workplace injury on a construction site can be devastating. If you or someone you know has been injured on the job, don’t hesitate to file for workers’ compensation. It exists to help people in your situation to be able to fully recover and return to work without undue financial worries.