Workers Comp Cases

What injuries are covered by Workers' Compensation?

There are many different types of workplace injuries, and most are covered by Workers' Compensation.

Accidents Covered by Workers Compensation

Common accidents at work that are covered by Workers Compensation include back injuries, torn ligaments, broken limbs, and concussions. There are many other injuries covered. Work-related illnesses are also covered, as are repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

The causes of the injuries are as varied as the injuries themselves. A workplace injury can result from heavy lifting, an accident (slips, trips and falls), defective machinery, fires, explosions or even repetitive motion. If you are injured while playing football at the company picnic, even that injury may be covered.

The key is that the injury arose out of and in the course of employment. Those two qualifiers tend to be the subject of some debate, so it's best to work with a qualified workers comp attorney who can tell you whether your case is compensable or not.

Multiple Causes to a Workplace Accident

In many instances, an injury is not directly and exclusively attributable to a workplace accident. That's OK. The injury can still qualify for workers comp relief.

For example, maybe you already had a bad knee and you slip and fall at work in a way that leads you to having to have knee surgery. While your previous condition may have been a contributing factor to the new injury, your case is likely still covered by Workers Compensation.

All you need to show to be covered is that work was a cause of the accident. It doesn't have to be the only cause.

Even Small Work Injuries Are Covered

While big injuries at work grab attention, even small injuries are covered by Workers Compensation. A small cut on your hand or a bump on your head may very well be covered. In many cases, injuries that seem small at first fester into larger injuries.

Work Injuries That Are Not Covered

There are many workplace accidents that occur that are not covered. For example, if you pick a fight with another employee and get punched in the nose, your broken nose will probably not be covered by workers compensation because you caused the problem. Similarly, if you blatantly disregard your company safety practices and get injured as a result, you will probably not be eligible for any workers comp benefits.

Getting Clarity On Whether a Work Injury Is Covered or Not

We'd have to write a book to cover all the various injuries and the different scenarios in which they are covered by workers compensation or not. This article has only scratched the surface on what injuries are covered by workers' compensation insurance.

If you are unclear on whether your injury is covered or not, you would do well to consult with an experienced workers compensation attorney. In fact, you can do that right now by using our free Find a Workers Compensation Attorney service.