Hi, my name is Elizabeth, and I have been running my own business for years. Over the years, I have had a lot of different businesses. I have had home-based businesses, a catering company and several brick-and-mortar shops. Through all of those financial excursions, I have had to buy different types of insurance policies. I have even had to make a few claims. As a result, I have learned all kinds of unusual things about business insurance. If you want to learn about insurance coverage and what your business needs to be protected, take a look at this insurance blog. Thanks for reading and enjoy!
If you've been injured on the job, you may wonder if you're entitled to worker's compensation. This refers to an insurance policy that most business owners are required to have, in order to compensate injured workers for medical costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, and the like. While only an attorney can tell you about your own case in particular, consider a few factors about worker's compensation insurance so you can note if you might be eligible for such a claim in your case.
If the accident was your fault
Don't assume that because you drove a forklift into a stack of boxes that you won't be entitled to compensation for the injuries you suffered when those boxes fell on you. In some cases, you may be denied worker's compensation if it's determined that you purposely did something to cause an accident, but in other cases, your employer may have been negligent in providing proper training, safe equipment, and a safe workplace for you. An attorney can listen to the details of your case and note if you might have a compensation claim even though you assume an accident was your fault.
If you're driving your own vehicle
If you're injured while driving your own vehicle for work purposes, your car insurance may cover some injuries and cost of repairing the vehicle. However, if you were doing anything for your employer in your own vehicle, including working in the field or running errands, he or she may still be liable for your injuries or any costs not covered by your auto insurance. Don't assume that you need to be on your employer's property to have a worker's compensation claim but discuss the details with an attorney.
If you have a condition that doesn't allow you to work
If you've been permanently injured because of an accident at work, this is different than having a condition that doesn't allow you to work but which is not the fault of your employer. For example, you may have a heart condition, breathing disorder, arthritis, and other such health problem that would qualify you for disability but not worker's compensation. On the other hand, some conditions can be the result of your working conditions; you may have developed a breathing disorder over time because of not being provided adequate protection while working in dusty or dirty conditions. Your attorney can note the condition you have and its cause and tell you if it's potentially the fault of your employer or if there are other options for compensation.
Share14 September 2016
