You’ve worked hard your entire life, and even as you approach retirement age, you may find you want, or need, to continue working.
You’re not alone. More than 64 percent of Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 are still in the workforce.
If you’re a part of this group, make sure you understand your rights should you ever suffer an injury on the job.
Receiving injured worker benefits is your right, but you need to understand some special considerations related to workers’ compensation for people ages 55-64.
ISSUES IN WORKERS’ COMP FOR AGES 55-64
For insurance companies, people in this age group can be expensive to cover.
This creates a central challenge you might face for your workers’ comp claim: The insurance company’s main goal – making money – contradicts your needs.
Studies have revealed that injuries in workers aged 55-64 often are more severe than those of younger workers.
Statistics show workers in this group miss more work on average when injured. While the average for all workers is eight days off work, people between 55 to 64 average 12 missed days.
Add the fact that more people are remaining in the workforce longer and you can imagine how the costs compound for insurance companies. They have to choose between fairness and profit.
For you, this means your employer’s workers’ comp insurer isn’t necessarily putting your interests first.
They may be more concerned about paying large amounts to people in your age group.
Sometimes they choose the wrong path. That’s when people need a workers’ comp attorney to fight for their hurt-on-the-job benefits.
FILING FOR WORKERS’ COMP
Filing for workers’ compensation benefits should be easy.
In practice, it’s extremely important that you report your injury to a manager as soon as you realize you’re hurt.
Failing to do so can give your employer, or their workers’ comp insurer, a chance to deny a claim by saying your injury wasn’t work-related.
Your manager is required to file an incident report and the appropriate paperwork for you to receive benefits.
But some employers avoid this step because they don’t want their insurance rates to rise.
If this unfair treatment is happening to you, you should seek out a workers’ comp lawyer immediately.
If your manager refuses to help, an experienced legal professional can file the Workers’ Comp Form WC-117 for you. That form lets you directly report your injury.
RECEIVING THE BENEFITS YOU DESERVE
Workers’ comp is designed so your on-the-job injury is covered even if the accident was your fault.
In other words, if you were injured on the job, you’re most likely eligible for benefits regardless of how the accident happened.
And if you’re denied benefits, that’s not the last word.
You have the right to appeal. Many injured workers only receive hurt-on-the-job benefits when they appeal a denial from the insurer.
If you’re not working with a workers’ comp attorney at this stage, you may not have the best chance of getting the benefits to which you’re entitled.
While the insurance company looks out for its profit, a workers’ comp attorney works directly for you.
At Levine Benjamin, our attorneys are experienced in the challenges of workers’ comp for ages 55-64.
Your age should have no bearing on the benefits you receive, and you may be eligible for compensation for medical care, prescriptions and time-loss.
If your injury is more severe, Levine Benjamin attorneys can also help you file for Social Security Disability benefits. Call us today for help getting the compensation you deserve.
Sources:
Injuries, illnesses, and fatalities among older workers
Civilian labor force participation rate by age, gender, race, and ethnicity
