Whether a person works in a dangerous industry or not, there are always some form of risks in the work environment. Those working with heavy machinery may face more risks than those working in an office, but when a worker is injured in the workplace, if it is determined to be work-related, the worker could seek workers’ compensation for the resulting damages.
What injuries are covered by workers’ compensation? Being injured on the clock or in the work environment does not automatically mean that workers’ comp will be awarded to address the injury and damages suffered. In order for an injury to be covered by workers’ comp, it must be work-related. This means that the injury occurred while a worker was doing something on behalf of his or her employer or in the course of employment.
This means that if the injury occurred when a worker was not on the clock or not doing something work-related, that worker may not be covered under the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy. Arguably, an injury must have been suffered on-the-job or caused by the job in order for these benefits to be awarded. It should be noted that if a pre-existing condition is worsened in the course of employment, this might also be covered.
Applying for workers’ compensation may seem straightforward, but this process can get complex and injured workers can encounter obstacles. It is important for workers seeking workers’ compensation benefits to understand the application process and what can be done to overcome a denied application. This could help a worker obtain benefits following a workplace accident.