Through the friend of a friend of your coworker, you learn that your work-related injury caused by a mistake you made automatically disqualifies you from receiving workers’ compensation benefits. Nothing could be further from the truth.
This is just one of many misconceptions people hear about workers’ compensation benefits. Do not believe hearsay on this topic. More often than not, these words are myths and falsehoods, designed to frighten you away from these much-needed benefits that will help you pay for lost income and medical bills.
Your will lose your job
Too often, workers remain uncertain about the rules behind workers’ compensation. They may not understand the details, leading them down the path of gross exaggerations.
Among the misconceptions about workers’ compensation include:
- Your employer will fire you: It is illegal for any employer to fire a worker who seeks workers’ compensation benefits. If any employer pursues termination, that is considered a form of retaliation, opening that company up for additional legal action.
- The injury must have happened at work: An off-site injury that occurs while performing your job qualifies you for these benefits. Drivers and delivery workers injured in a collision while on the job need not worry about not qualifying for these benefits.
- The injury must have occurred while performing your job: Some workers suffer occupational diseases, which have direct links to working conditions. Prolonged exposure to excessive noise and chemicals can respectively lead to hearing loss and respiratory conditions such as asthma and pulmonary disease. Repetitive stress injuries may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis and tendinitis – conditions that qualify you for workers’ compensation benefits.
- Injuries caused by a worker’s own fault do not qualify: If you lost a finger or suffered a leg fracture while improperly operating equipment, you may still qualify. However, if horseplay, drugs or alcohol use was involved, you will not qualify.
Misconceptions about the workers’ compensation program only harm injured workers.
Understand guidelines, rely on trusted sources
It benefits you to educate yourself about the guidelines behind the workers’ compensation program. By relying on trusted sources for that information, you gain a sense of confidence and peace of mind in knowing that you shall receive these benefits.