Workers in industries such as construction and engineering have a high risk of becoming severely injured while at work in the state of New York. While there are laws in place to protect workers who become permanently disabled, unfortunately, many workers do not realize the extent of the benefits to which they are entitled when their injury occurred in the workplace.
After a worker injured on the job, it is important that he or she notifies the employer of the work-related injury and file a workers’ compensation claim within 30 days. Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that helps injured employees with some of the financial implications of their injury. This usually includes the coverage of all necessary medical care, and a contribution to the coverage of the lost wages due to taking unpaid leave during the recovery period.
What else can be covered by workers’ compensation?
The amount of damages awarded through workers’ compensation is largely dependent of the type of injury suffered and the impact the injury has had on the worker’s life.
If you or a loved one has become seriously injured due to a work injury, it may be necessary for accommodations or for the workspace to be wheelchair accessible, for example. If it is ruled that such renovations are necessary in order for the injured person to be able to live safely in his or her house, it is likely that such damages will be awarded.
In a situation where the injured person does not have a dwelling that can be renovated or made accessible, it may be possible for workers’ compensation to be extended further. In April 2010 an undocumented worker was awarded lifetime workers’ compensation benefits when he needed accessible accommodation as a paraplegic.
Workers’ compensation is intended to be scaleable to the seriousness of an injury, and its job is to support a worker through his or her injury from a financial perspective. If you have been seriously injured in New York, it is important to take action and find out about your rights.