Who Qualifies for Workers’ Compensation in Nashville?
Workers’ comp does not concern itself with fault. As long as you were on the clock and doing something “in the scope of employment,” then you should be covered. That includes if you were in the breakroom at the time.
Not all injuries qualify for workers’ comp, however. For example, if you were intoxicated, horsing around, or were out at lunch, you may be ineligible for benefits.
Every workplace accident and injury is different. Schedule a free case review to go over your rights with a workers’ comp lawyer.
Common Workers’ Comp Injuries
Workers’ comp benefits are not limited to injuries suffered in freak, one-time accidents. Occupational injuries developed over time, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, are also covered.
Some of the most common workers’ comp injuries include:
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Back injuries
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Neck injuries
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Broken bones
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Sprains and strains
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Toxic exposure
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Cuts and burns
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Amputation, partial or complete
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Repetitive motion injuries
Types of Workers’ Comp Benefits
According to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, injured workers must first have their injury verified by an Authorized Treating Physician (ATP). Then, they may be entitled to one or more of the following benefits:
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Medical care that aligns with the ATP’s recommendations
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Travel expenses related to medical treatment
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Wage replacement, or temporary disability benefits
If your injury makes it impossible to continue in the same job, you may also be entitled to vocational rehabilitation benefits. This can help you train for a new job so that you can safely return to the workforce.
Death benefits are available in cases in which a workplace accident or illness led to a worker’s death. The surviving loved ones, usually a spouse, will be eligible to file for these workers’ comp benefits on the decedent’s behalf.
Steps to Take After an Accident at Work
If you are injured at work or notice that you’ve developed a long-term injury, it is important to do the following to protect your rights:
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Get medical help: If it’s an emergency medical situation, call 911 for help or go to the emergency room. Don’t try to put off getting medical help. Make sure to follow through on your treatment plan afterward.
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Tell your employer about the injury immediately: Don’t wait to tell your employer about your injury. It can be easy to put off telling them about a repetitive motion injury in the hopes that it will go away. Play it safe–report the injury or diagnosis to your employer in writing. Under law, you only have 15 days to do so. If you miss this deadline, you could also miss your chance for workers’ comp.
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File a workers’ comp claim: After you report your injury, don’t forget to file your workers’ comp claim. The statute of limitations is 1 year from the date of injury/diagnosis. The sooner you file, the sooner you can get paid.
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Consult an attorney: It is a good idea to work with a workers’ comp attorney. The Roth Firm, LLC can help you file a claim that checks all the boxes. If an appeal is needed, we can help with that too. No matter how nice your employer is or how much they seem to care, things may change once they hear you’re filing for benefits. Don’t let their greed get in the way of your recovery.
Experienced Nashville Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
The Roth Firm, LLC’s experienced lawyers are committed to protecting injured workers throughout the state. We know how much missing even a week of work can impact your quality of life. It can put you behind on your regular bills, while also leaving you with medical bills to pay. Then there’s the physical and mental pain of the injury.
We want to do more than help you stay afloat. Let us fight to secure the financial support you need to heal and move forward.
Fill out an online form to get in touch with a Nashville workers’ comp lawyer today.
