Employees in labor-intensive professions are always at risk of suffering a serious accident, or worse, a fatal injury. Every day, employees are exposed to heavy machinery, hazardous chemicals, and electricity, all of which pose a significant risk of injury. As a result of such injuries, the employees are unable to work and may be forced to pay for all medical expenses in an unfair manner. Workers’ compensation is in place to ensure that any injury sustained at work or as a result of labor is compensated for medical bills, travel expenses, and a variety of other costs.
Let’s take a look at what Mississippi workers’ compensation is, what injuries are covered and which ones aren’t, and if you should hire a Jackson workers’ compensation attorney, and a lot more.
Jackson Workers’ Compensation Criteria and Exceptions
Workers’ compensation benefits vary by state, injury, and occupation. Workers’ compensation is required by Mississippi law for every business or company with five or more employees. It makes no difference whether the injury happened on the specified property or not. The most essential factor is that the employee’s injury must be tied to his or her job. Every employer, apart from domestic employees and independent contractors, is required to provide workers’ compensation.
Employees must provide a link between their injury and how it is related to their work environment in order to be eligible for workers’ compensation. It can be difficult depending on the occupation. For example, if a coal miner gets a lung condition after years of labor, the case for workers compensation is likely to be approved. The main criterion is that, as previously stated, the employee’s injury must have occurred at the job in order for the employee to be eligible for workers’ compensation. When symptoms appear years later, the employee’s case will be thoroughly investigated and reviewed to see if it qualifies for workers’ compensation.
Types of Injuries Covered by the Workers’ Compensation in Jackson, MS
The majority of states only cover physical injuries and damages. In the event that an employee has a physical injury at work and is unable to return to work, workers’ compensation normally pays the medical costs as well as any additional costs incurred as a result of the injury.
Most states do not allow workers’ compensation to cover any costs if an employee develops a mental ailment or disorder as a result of the stress linked with the work environment. Workers’ compensation in Mississippi will only pay for damages if they are caused by a physical injury. It is clearly mentioned in the Mississippi workers’ compensation that, if an employee suffers any psychiatric or mental conditions because of stress associated with the work environment, the workers’ compensation will be in no way responsible for covering costs.
Traumatic Injuries
Workers’ compensation will cover the costs in the event of physical or traumatic injuries. For example, if an employee is required to work with a computer for several hours, the employee may develop carpal tunnel syndrome, which can impair the employee in a variety of ways. Other instances, such as stumbling over a box and breaking one’s wrist or suffering a head injury, will almost certainly be covered by workers’ compensation.
List of the most frequent injuries covered by Mississippi Workers’ compensation:
- Bone damage, fractures, and pain from slipping, falling, or tripping over something.
- Hamstring injuries, muscle sprains, muscle strains, and muscle tears.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, and other RSI scenarios.
- Risks and dangers associated with dealing with electricity.
- Getting crushed between heavy machinery and other harmful situations.
- Falling from top floors etc.
Secondary/Subsequent injuries
Workers’ compensation in Mississippi will also cover the costs of any subsequent injuries picked up by the employee. If an employee has suffered an injury at work and goes on to develop another injury because of the primary injury, the workers’ compensation will cover it as well.
For instance, if an employee has a hamstring injury and any subsequent injury or damage caused by this hamstring injury will be covered by workers’ compensation. It is justified because the employee wouldn’t be sustaining all these consequential injuries if the employee wasn’t injured in the first place.
Injuries due to Exposure to Harmful Substances
Employees who work in professions or situations that require a lot of physical work are more likely to sustain serious, and in some cases fatal, injuries. Employees in industries, unlike those in corporate companies, are exposed to hazardous chemicals such as mold, asbestos, and other contaminants. Regular exposure to such hazardous chemicals can jeopardize an employee’s health.
As a result, Mississippi workers’ compensation will pay for any disease or response caused by exposure to hazardous chemicals at work. Workers’ compensation will almost certainly cover the reaction, even if it occurs after years of exposure. Exposure to certain substances, for example, can take years before the real symptoms appear.
Injuries Which Are not Covered by the Workers’ Compensation in Jackson, MS
Physical, personal, and traumatic accidents account for nearly all of the injuries covered by workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation will not cover any damages incurred as a result of a dispute with a coworker or an attempt to abuse substances while disregarding the employer’s guidelines. The employee or person who caused the injury will be held accountable
The circumstances listed below are not covered by workers’ compensation.
- If an employee violates the employer’s standards, resulting in injury.
- Workers’ compensation will not cover costs if the employee in question is under the influence of alcohol or any other substance.
- Employees will be held accountable if they breach the law or start a fight with a coworker.
- The costs of an intentional or reckless injury are not covered by Mississippi workers’ compensation.
If an employee is injured on the job, they have 30 days to notify their employer. Workers’ compensation claims must be filed within two years after the date of the injury. If an employee is absent from work for five days or more, the employer must notify the absence to the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission and file a workers’ compensation claim. All medical bills, travel expenses, and other additional charges will be covered by Mississippi workers’ compensation.
The employee will be compensated based on the severity of the damage. For a temporary or permanent disability, an employee who qualifies for workers’ compensation benefits is entitled to medical care and attention. Compensation for workers will also be provided
The workers’ compensation will also provide death benefits for the employee in case of a fatal injury picked up at work. To learn more, contact our Jackson personal injury attorneys today.
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