Worker's Compensation And Construction: What You Should Know
Posted on: 5 September 2019
If you work in the construction industry, the odds of getting injured can be higher than in white collar jobs. In general, you can file for worker's compensation benefits if you are hurt while doing your job to help you pay your medical bills and meet your personal financial obligations. The following are some things you should know about worker's compensation and working in the construction industry:
What Can You Receive from Worker's Compensation Benefits?
The goal of worker's compensation insurance is to help employers and employees avoid any legal battles when an employee is injured in the line of doing his or her job. Before worker's compensation, employees would sometimes have to file a lawsuit against an employer to have their damages paid.
Worker's compensation will fully provide for your medical costs, which includes your emergency room visit, medical care, medication, and any therapies you might need as a result of your injury. You can also receive payment in lieu of your paycheck while you are out of work while recovering from your injury. Worker's compensation is an exclusive remedy to cover the expenses for the injuries you received at your job.
What If Worker's Compensation Won't Cover Everything?
Typically, worker's compensation will be the primary method for your compensation after a workplace injury. However, the construction industry can throw an extra kink in how you receive payment, due largely in part to the practice of working with subcontractors. Worker's compensation is paid out when you are working directly for your employer, but you can also receive it when you work for a subcontractor.
According to the law, you cannot both receive worker's compensation and file a lawsuit against your employer. However, if you are working for a subcontractor, such as operating heavy equipment or handling chemicals, and you receive an injury, you can also file a lawsuit against the subcontractor if your benefits from worker's compensation is not enough. If your injuries are substantial, this process can help you pay for any major injuries and loss of mobility you may have from your injuries.
When you work in the construction industry, you know the vast amount of risk that comes along with it. You can suffer major injuries. If you are hurt while working on a construction site, be sure to contact a worker's compensation attorney such as those at Dawson & Associates, LLC to see what your options are so you can be made whole.
Share