Every day, people are injured at work, but never report the injuries to their employer. A survey by Findlaw found that 10% of injured workers were afraid to file a claim. However, the number of unreported injuries could be substantially higher. A report by the House Committee on Education and Labor estimated that as many as 2 out of every 3 workplace injuries are not reported to employers. This under-reporting benefits employers, but can be dangerous for employees.
Why do Injured Workers Keep Quiet?
It is against the law to fire someone because they file a Workers’ Comp claim, but many workers are afraid to file a Workers’ Comp claim. In some cases, investigation found that there was an atmosphere of intimidation in the business that led workers to believe that they would be punished or fired if they filed a Workers’ Comp claim. In other cases, workers simply believe that they will injure their job standing with a reported injury, especially if they work for a company that promotes its exceptional safety record.
An injured worker might try to handle the needed medical treatment by using their health insurance and vacation or sick time. However, if doctors discover that the requested treatment is for a work-related injury, they will normally bill the employer’s Workers’ Comp insurance provider or refuse service entirely. Home treatment can be risky; there was a case of a heavy equipment worker who cut his arm on a piece of machinery, bandaged it himself and continued working. The cut, combined with the worker’s diabetes, sent him to the hospital with necrotizing fasciitis, better known as the “Flesh Eating Disease,” followed by a nightmarish year of suffering.
What Workers’ Compensation Provides for Injured Workers
The program is designed to protect workers who are injured at work by requiring most employers to purchase Workers’ Comp insurance to pay for authorized expenses when someone is hurt. Workers are entitled to receive:
- 100% coverage for all authorized medical expenses;
- Weekly benefit checks while unable to work;
- Fair compensation for any permanent or legal medical disability.
Kansas workers who have been hurt at work can click here to contact Business Name for a free consultation to learn if they have a case. This Worker Comp Attorney In Wichita has been assisting injured workers to get their benefits for 35 years. Find out how a Worker Comp Attorney In Wichita can help you recover.
