Many professionals work jobs that expose them to serious safety hazards. They may handle heavy equipment, operate motor vehicles, work with caustic chemicals or perform job functions at an elevation.
Jobs ranging from kitchen work to manufacturing positions can put people at risk of serious injury. In some cases, employees make mistakes that result in an injury. They become distracted while operating a slicer, drop something heavy or use improper lifting mechanics.
If an employer can show that a worker was technically at fault for an incident that left them injured, can that affect their eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits?
Fault rarely affects benefits
The workers’ compensation program indemnifies employers and protects them from lawsuits related to workplace injuries. It also protects employees from financial hardship caused by an injury on the job or an illness acquired due to employment.
Those with work-related medical conditions may be eligible for medical benefits to pay for your treatment and disability benefits to replace their income. The fault for the incident that caused the injury generally does not affect eligibility or the amount of benefits received.
Workers’ compensation provides no-fault coverage. Validating that employment is the underlying cause of the condition is much more important than establishing it who was at fault. With exceptions for rare cases involving workers who come to work inebriated or hurt themselves intentionally, fault is rarely a consideration during a workers’ compensation claim.
Employees in need of benefits may need help learning about their rights and filing a claim, and that’s okay. Discussing a workplace incident with a workers’ compensation attorney can help people pursue the benefits they deserve.