When working as a truck driver, you are automatically at a higher risk for accident and injury on the job. This is partially due to the fact that you’re out on the road day in and day out, but you’re also operating a piece of large equipment that, if involved in an accident could cause serious injury or be deadly.
Because of these facts, it is important for truck drivers to understand exactly what workers’ compensation is, how it can help them in the case of an accident or injury, and what steps they need to take if they or their families need to file a claim.
What is workers’ compensation and who is eligible?
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance held by businesses for when their employees get injured on the job. Employees who work for a business with workers’ compensation insurance, who are injured or killed on the job due to no fault of their own, may be eligible for financial compensation paid out to them, or their family.
How can it help you?
When you are injured from a workplace injury, you are often forced to be out of work for a period of time resulting in lost wages. You also incur medical bills for things like hospital visits, surgeries, follow-up visits, medications and physical therapy. If you pass away from a workplace injury your family is left with funeral and end-of-life expenses, and they are left without your income. That is why workers’ compensation compensates you (or your family) when an accident or injury occurs.
What happens next?
You’ve been injured on the job (or you are the family member of someone who has died as a result of an accident or injury on the job) and now you aren’t sure what comes next. Immediately following an incident it needs to be reported to employers to get the process going. There are time limits on workers’ compensation claims so do not hesitate.
Additionally, you will need to seek medical attention. Make sure you are properly checked out by a medical professional and any injuries are tended to. Keep a record of your medical bills so you can be compensated for them when your claim is complete.
If at any point your employer is uncooperative, or you face trouble with your claim being approved you should consult an attorney who specializes in workers’ compensation cases. The knowledgeable and professional team at The Holman Law Firm is ready to help, so give us a call today! 850-435-6909.
Services We Offer:
Family Law | Child Custody | Divorce | Personal Injury | Auto Accidents
