If you have been injured at work, it’s important to understand the law surrounding Workers’ compensation. There are several steps to take, including reporting your injury, obtaining a medical evaluation, and determining liability. The following is a brief overview of Workers’ compensation law. You should consult a workers’ comp lawyer for further guidance. Your work injury attorney will be able to help you determine if you are eligible to receive benefits.
Workers’ compensation law
If you have been injured in a fight at work, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Unfortunately, the insurance company often refuses to pay benefits if the fight is not work-related. This is when it is crucial to work with an attorney who specializes in this area of law. Read on to learn more about filing a claim after being hurt in a workplace fight.
A common case involves a scissor lift worker who suffered a herniated disc in her lower back. The worker needed hip surgery, physical therapy, and an orthopedic boot. Another case involved an emergency room nurse who injured her lumbar disc while moving an unconscious patient. The injury required a lumbar discectomy and physical therapy. A worker can be injured in an instantaneous manner, or develop over time due to his or her job.
Liability
A worker can sue for compensation if they’re injured in a fight at work. Fortunately, most states recognize that the other party is partly to blame for the incident. Unlike some states, where the victim is at least 50% at fault, most insurance policies cover accidents that occur on the property of another person. If this is the case, suing the party who initiated the fight may be the better option. The injured party must prove that the other party was negligent and that his or her actions were directly or approximately responsible for the injury.
While fights may occur anywhere, such as sports games or bars, they can occur at any time and are not necessarily related to work. This can make workers wonder whether they can sue if they are injured in such an incident. In most cases, an employer’s liability policy covers workplace accidents and should cover a victim’s expenses. However, if an employee is injured while at work and is unable to sue for damages, it’s important to consult with an attorney immediately. A skilled lawyer will be able to evaluate the situation and recommend the best course of action.
Reporting
Regardless of the cause of your injury, reporting when you are hurt in a fight at work is a key aspect of pursuing compensation. Not reporting your injuries immediately can result in missed opportunity to remedy a safety hazard. Consequently, it can result in you losing medical benefits and even result in higher workers compensation costs. In addition, failure to report your injuries can lead to disciplinary action, such as dismissal.
Medical evaluation
You may be eligible to receive compensation for medical bills incurred due to an injury sustained at work. The process for requesting a medical evaluation begins with an appointment with a doctor. The doctor will assess your injuries, determining the extent of them. An IME also provides an opportunity to document your pre-existing medical conditions and the results of any treatment you may have received. A doctor will also determine whether your injury is work-related and whether your pre-existing medical conditions have been affected by the incident.
If you believe you were injured in a fight at work, you should first get an evaluation. Your employer may schedule an appointment for you after submitting your workers’ compensation claim. At this appointment, you will likely be asked to fill out pages of paperwork. The intake form will ask you questions about the nature of your injury, your past employment, and any injuries you’ve had before. You may be surprised at how many of these questions are vague or allow only yes or no answers.
Taking care of yourself after a fight
After a workplace fight, there are a few things you can do to take care of yourself. Make sure you’re eating healthy, resting well, and doing activities you enjoy. Read a book, watch a play, or talk to friends. Do whatever makes you happy. If you’re at work, you can attend a ball game or play. It’s also helpful to get some sleep to recover.
