If you work in health care and you’re injured on the job, you might think you’ve got an advantage securing workers’ compensation benefits.
After all, you know the health care system. You might have treated other people with on-the-job injuries.
But working in health care comes with complications when you’re seeking workers’ comp:
- Health care is an industry with a high risk of worker injuries.
- That gives insurers an even greater incentive to look for ways to save money on claims than in some industries.
Knowing about these special dynamics for health care workers could help you stay better informed about your workers’ comp case.
WORKERS’ COMP DIFFICULTIES IN THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY
An injured employee in any industry could end up costing an insurer and employer money, so why would it be more difficult to get fair compensation in the health care field?
As it turns out, health care is one of the most dangerous employment settings.
Statistics say there are 5.7 annual deaths per 100,000 employees in health care. By comparison, the rate is only 3.4 in the construction industry.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that health care workers experience workplace violence at higher rates than any other sector.
If you’re in the health care sector, though, you don’t need statistics to tell you how dangerous the job can be.
In addition to workplace violence, you also face the hazards of over-exertion, needle sticks, slips and falls, infections and dangers created by under-staffing.
Add the fact that health care is the fastest growing industry in America.
Now you’ve got insurance companies trying everything they can to avoid losing money on settlements for health care workers.
This is why they sometimes make it difficult.
WHY HEALTH CARE WORKERS DON’T GET SPECIAL TREATMENT
As any medical professional knows, the health care industry itself aims to make money. Just like the insurance industry.
These two facts put health care workers in the same situation as any other kind of worker who gets hurt on the job.
You become another claim, regardless of your knowledge of health care.
The simple fact is that every workers’ comp claim costs the insurer and potentially the health care facility – or other employer – money.
If a certain health care organization’s employees are getting injured often enough, the insurer will likely bump up their premiums. No organization wants higher costs.
This creates an atmosphere that could stop you from receiving hurt-on-the-job benefits.
In many cases, employees in the healthcare industry must turn to workers’ comp attorneys to get what they deserve.
Even if you’re granted benefits, you may not receive everything you deserve without the careful review of an attorney.
HEALTHCARE INJURIES AND GETTING HELP
If you’re injured on the job in any way, the first step is always to report it to your employer.
It’s understandable that, even after an injury, you might want to get right back to work helping patients.
But if you fail to promptly report an injury, you may lose your chance to receive fair benefits.
Next you’ll want to speak with a workers’ comp lawyer to make sure your employer and insurer do the right thing.
Then don’t give up on receiving compensation.
If you’ve been denied benefits, contact a workers’ comp lawyer immediately.
The professionals at Levine Benjamin will fight for your right to compensation for time-loss, prescriptions, medical care and other financial burdens.
You may also be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits if your injury will result in a prolonged inability to work. The attorneys at Levine Benjamin can help you with that, too.
