Posted in Wisconsin Workers Compensation Related News
For most people, on-the-job injuries are the last thing on their mind during a typical workday. But all it takes is one slip, one rogue machine or one careless action to leave you bedridden and unable to work. Worker’s compensation insurance exists to protect you in such a disastrous occurrence. But the scope of this protection extends to injuries caused by on-the-job accidents or flawed equipment. Here are a few things you need to know in order to protect yourself and get the compensation you need.
- Mental Health
Physical injuries are the most obvious work-related hazard, but they are far from the only harmful effect a job can have. The stress or rigor of your job might cause you excessive stress that can lead to anxiety or depression. If you have started suffering from these or other mental health issues as a result of your job, you could be eligible for worker’s compensations
- Pre-existing Conditions
Anxiety and depression are not always brought on as a result of job-related stress. Your workplace conditions may exacerbate a condition you already have; it may make your depression worse, or cause you to have anxiety attacks despite already being in therapy. This is an extremely important and often overlooked aspect of worker’s compensation: it covers pre-existing conditions that are made worse by your job. This applies to physical injuries as well as mental health struggles. If you can prove that your injury or condition has been made worse by an aspect of your work environment, you could be eligible to receive worker’s compensation.
- Only Certain Employees Qualify
The scope of worker’s compensation insurance coverage may be wider than you initially believed, but the qualifications for worker’s compensation are stricter than simply being employed by a company. Independent contractors do not qualify for insurance since they are not classified as “employees”. Undocumented immigrants are not covered by worker’s compensation in all states, and some specific types of workers are not included. Examples of workers not covered vary by state, and may include:
- Agricultural workers
- Seasonal workers
- Housekeepers
- Babysitters and nannies
Learning more about your employment classification and the kinds of injuries covered under worker’s compensation may save you thousands of dollars in lost wages in the event of an injury.
