Who Takes Care of the Medical Bills When You’re Hurt on the Job?
Workplace injuries are so common that it’s reported that around 2.8 million non-fatal workplace accidents and injuries happen yearly. From sprains and tears to respiratory issues, work injuries have a wide range.
If you’ve recently been hurt on the job, you probably have a few questions about the subject. Well, we’ve got answers!
Let’s walk through who typically pays the expenses for work-related injuries and what you can expect with the process. Keep reading below to dive in!
Your Employer Normally Pays Via Insurance
Your work should have a type of insurance called workers compensation or workers comp for instances like this. Accidents happen and even if it is through a fault of your own, if it happens on the job, you’re entitled to workers comp.
Being injured on the job isn’t exactly ideal because there is quite a bit of red tape you have to get through to get your medical expenses paid. It’s not in the insurance company’s best interest to have to pay out for your work accident.
Because of that, you may need to fight for yourself a little to get your case taken seriously. You can also get a lawyer involved if you feel like you’re being treated unjustly.
First and foremost, you have to report your injury to your employer. They should then give you all of the insurance information you need to have your bills properly addressed.
You’ll most likely be speaking to HR about the injury. They’ll probably be the ones filling you in on the company’s insurance and what providers fall under their workers compensation insurance plan.
It’s important that you check with your specific state for certain laws and regulations regarding workers comp. This will help you understand what your options are in your area.
For example, South Carolina has a weekly cap on what you are able to be paid. As of January 2022, that amount is $963.37.
Other Options When Hurt on the Job
If you feel like you are due more than what you are being assigned by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance, you just might be. It’s not uncommon for third parties to be involved as well.
Your situation may call for a civil claims case if it involves a property owner, general contractor, or defective products. The names of these are premises liability and product liability.
It really just depends on who’s involved in the work accident, where it took place, and what happened. You may qualify for more compensation for lost wages (or lost future wages) or even for the pain you’ve suffered.
An attorney is the best person to walk you through your options. They dig through the details of your story and pinpoint who is to blame, and it could be more than one person.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been hurt on the job, stay in touch with your employer. Try your best to be civil and to work with them so you get your medical expenses paid as quickly as you can.
Contact a lawyer if you’re having trouble or think you’re entitled to more than workers’ compensation. For more information like this, continue reading our blog!
