According to the Insurance Information Institute, more than 140 million employees in the U.S. are covered by workers’ compensation, a type of insurance that provides medical benefits and lost wages to employees who sustain work-related injuries. If you’ve been hurt on the job and believe you’re entitled to compensation, the first thing you should do is contact an attorney to find out if your injury qualifies. In the meantime, here’s a brief overview of what types of damages are covered by workers’ comp. 

What Injuries & Illnesses Are Covered?

An injury is considered work-related if it’s sustained as a result of doing something on behalf of your employer while you are performing your job. While these injuries often occur in the workplace, they can also happen off-site in places like company-owned cars and trucks, as well as during company-sponsored parties and events. A workers’ comp attorney can advise you of all the locations and situations that may apply. 

On-the-job injuries covered by workers’ comp include sudden, dangerous, and catastrophic loss, such as broken bones, limb loss, scarring and disfigurement, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. These types of damages typically occur in environments that involve manual labor, like factories, construction sites, and farms.

Occupational injuries or illness that occur over time may also be covered if it can be proven an employee developed them as a direct result of work they carried out. This can include a range of conditions, from emphysema and lung cancer to nerve damage, carpal tunnel syndrome, and mental health diagnoses such as PTSD or depression. Pre-existing conditions may even be covered if it’s clear they worsened as a result of work—contact an attorney if you think this may apply to you.

What Injuries & Illnesses Are Not Covered?

Workers’ comp will not cover a work-related injury if the employee was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time they were harmed (company-sponsored social events are an exception if the employer chooses to service alcohol), or if the employee was off-site on their lunch break. They will also not be compensated for self-inflicted injuries, which include fistfights or other reckless behavior initiated by the employee. Finally, if an employee was harmed at work while engaging in criminal activity or violating company policies and safety rules, they will not be able to collect workers’ comp for the injury.

If you’ve been injured on the job and believe you may be entitled to workers’ comp, contact the seasoned attorneys at Kirksey Law Firm in Bolivar, MO. In addition to helping clients throughout Polk County get the medical care and compensation they deserve, the five lawyers on the team are also experienced in family law, personal injury cases, medical malpractice, and more. Visit their website to learn more, and call (417) 326-4529 to speak with a workers’ comp attorney today.