How Unsafe Workplaces Affect Workers’ Compensation

Injuries at work happen, and workers are compensated when they do. But employees can be fearful – or unsure of what to do or say – when they believe that their injury occurred because of unsafe conditions. A recent article shared important things to remember in such a circumstance.

Employers in most states are required by law to pay for workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance covers the costs of your medical treatment/rehabilitation and lost wages if you’re injured on the job. However, if your workplace was unsafe, and you believe there was negligence involved, you can also sue your employer for additional compensation.

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, there were 2.7 million workplace injuries and illnesses in 2020, 4,764 of which were deadly. Some injuries were caused by unsafe workplaces and might have been preventable if the causes were addressed.

It is the law that you, as an employee, are entitled to a safe workplace. If you believe your employer is in violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), you are encouraged to report the safety issue to your employer to give the company an opportunity to remedy the situation (make sure to document your communication). If that does not address the problem, then you may report the employer to OSHA or your state’s labor department.

It is important to note that you must be a full- or part-time worker, or a paid or unpaid intern, to be covered under OSHA. Freelancers and independent contractors are not covered. However, your status as a worker, intern or independent contractor does not matter if you are suing your employer for an injury at the workplace that was caused by negligence.

 

Whether in safe or unsafe workplaces, accidents happen more than you may think. If you would like to talk to an attorney experienced in workplace accidents and negligence claims against employers, please reach out to us. We would welcome an opportunity to discuss the details of your case and see if we can help.