Most people do not expect to encounter an injury while on the job, but this expectation is far from a guarantee of safety. The reality is that people are injured at work every day, sometimes even severely.
Workers’ compensation is designed to help those who are injured on the job due to negligence. However, sometimes employees are not compensated enough by workers’ comp to cover all the expenses related to their injury, or are wrongfully denied workers’ comp altogether. For help remedying these kinds of scenarios, a skilled Indianapolis workers’ compensation lawyer could be your best bet. Contact a dedicated injury attorney today to begin your claim.
Qualifying for Workers’ Compensation
To qualify for workers compensation, an employee in Indianapolis must be injured on the job. This means that the injury must arise out of their employment, or during the course of job-related actions or duties.
This does not necessarily mean that an injury must happen on the job site itself to be eligible for workers’ comp. For example, if a construction worker delivering materials to a job site suffers an injury in a car wreck while traveling to or from the site, they may qualify for workers’ comp since they were performing a job-related task at the time of their injury.
Work Injuries
Injuries that occur on the job are covered by worker’s compensation. Examples of the type of injury that may be covered include:
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries, including those resulting in paralysis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Concussions
- Heart Attacks & Strokes
- Amputations
- Burns, abrasions, and punctures
- Electrocutions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Illnesses
Illnesses can also be covered by workers’ compensation. Qualifying illnesses are limited to illnesses that stem from an employee’s specific occupation, and that employee would need to prove that conditions specific to their occupation caused their illness and that the general public is not equally as likely to be exposed.
Examples may include tuberculosis contracted by medical professionals, hepatitis contracted by laboratory technicians, and lung cancer from asbestos exposure.
Aggravation of Injuries
In Indianapolis, Indiana, it is possible to be compensated if employment aggravates an already existing injury. Evidence of this is often circumstantial, though, and assistance from an experienced Indianapolis workers’ compensation attorney may be needed to gather the relevant facts and prove the aggravation.
For a free legal consultation with a workers compensation lawyer serving Marion County, call 317-636-7777
Types of Benefits
Once it is established that an employee’s injury occurred on the job, workers’ compensation laws in Indianapolis provide for medical care, lost wages, and death benefits.
Medical care can include all necessary and reasonable care with no time or cost limitations. The doctor and recovery plan to be used is directed by the employer, and can be terminated if the employee does not follow through with that plan.
Lost wages can be compensated in the form of temporary total disability benefits, temporary partial disability benefits, permanent total disability benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, and vocational rehabilitation.
Finally, death benefits are given to surviving beneficiaries of employees who die while at work, or whose work-related injuries result in their death. These benefits can be awarded for a maximum of 500 weeks, and typically consist of two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly salary.
Marion County Workers Compensation Lawyer Near Me 317-636-7777
Talk to an Indianapolis Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
Workers’ compensation was created to protect workers and their families. If you or a loved one are injured while on the job, do not wait to seek the expertise of competent Indianapolis workers compensation lawyer who could help you navigate the system and pursue compensation. Call today to speak with a fierce attorney at Sevenish Law Firm.
Call or text 317-636-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
