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what can happen at work if I get hurt?
#work-related-injuries
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Ryan’s Answer
This is a complicated question, and there are a wide variety of answers. If you can be more specific, hopefully you can get a clearer answer to your question. That said, if you're referring to a specific situation, please understand that workplace injuries are very complex, and the circumstances surrounding each injury are different. No answer you get here can replace the advice of human resources supervisor, personal injury attorney, or medical professional.
Generally speaking, a workplace injury can result in serious bodily injury, permanent disability, or death depending on the hazards of the job. If you are injured, you should immediately seek medical attention and notify your supervisor/employer. You cannot be fired for injuring yourself or reporting an accident.
Workman's Compensation Laws should pay your medical expenses, assuming you were wearing all of the required safety equipment and following the company's rules. There will almost certainly be an investigation into the accident to determine who is at fault for the accident. Depending on the severity of the injury(s), large organizations like OSHA may be called in to conduct an independent investigation. These investigations may take months, or even years.
If you are injured and cannot work, your insurance provider may provide short-term disability benefits, typically in the form of a percentage of your paycheck for a short period of time (i.e. if you made $3,000 a month, your insurance company may pay you 25 to 33% of your income (in this case about $1000 dollars a month) for a few months while you are physically unable to work, to help pay for things like food and rent). If your injury takes you out of work for more than a few months, this is more likely to result in a long-term disability label, which is typically paid by the Federal Government.
If the investigations of your accident determine that you were not at fault, but that your employer was (perhaps they didn't train you properly, or provide you with all the minimum safety equipment) then you may choose to file a civil lawsuit against the company, and if you win your case in court, you may receive financial reimbursement for medical expenses, lost wages, legal fees, and even mental and emotional damages.
Generally speaking, a workplace injury can result in serious bodily injury, permanent disability, or death depending on the hazards of the job. If you are injured, you should immediately seek medical attention and notify your supervisor/employer. You cannot be fired for injuring yourself or reporting an accident.
Workman's Compensation Laws should pay your medical expenses, assuming you were wearing all of the required safety equipment and following the company's rules. There will almost certainly be an investigation into the accident to determine who is at fault for the accident. Depending on the severity of the injury(s), large organizations like OSHA may be called in to conduct an independent investigation. These investigations may take months, or even years.
If you are injured and cannot work, your insurance provider may provide short-term disability benefits, typically in the form of a percentage of your paycheck for a short period of time (i.e. if you made $3,000 a month, your insurance company may pay you 25 to 33% of your income (in this case about $1000 dollars a month) for a few months while you are physically unable to work, to help pay for things like food and rent). If your injury takes you out of work for more than a few months, this is more likely to result in a long-term disability label, which is typically paid by the Federal Government.
If the investigations of your accident determine that you were not at fault, but that your employer was (perhaps they didn't train you properly, or provide you with all the minimum safety equipment) then you may choose to file a civil lawsuit against the company, and if you win your case in court, you may receive financial reimbursement for medical expenses, lost wages, legal fees, and even mental and emotional damages.
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
The answer is that it greatly depends. First off, you should always practice proper safety: go slow, concentrate on your work, follow safety procedures, and wear any personal protective equipment or utilize available safety tools. If you do get injured at work, always report the injury, no matter how minor, and seek medical treatment if necessary. Your job's Human Resources department will help you navigate Workers Compensation. Workers Compensation may cover healthcare expenses due to your injury, as the other poster explained. You may also qualify for short term disability insurance through your employer. Beware, this often needs to be elected when you first join the company, coverage is not always automatic. If it is offered to you, you should elect short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and accidental death & dismemberment through your job and make sure you have a beneficiary listed for each applicable plan in case you need it. Typically short term disability payments will cover approximately 60% of your weekly salary. Life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment insurance are paid out to your beneficiary in the event of your death, so if you elect this plans make sure you list someone to receive this benefit.