workman's comp question - affect budget

[momxx5]

How does workman's comp work? I am hoping that it will not apply to me because we are struggling financially and I just really need to work. Our monthly income is dependent on my job.

I am hoping that I will not have to use it. I fell at work today.....totally my klutzy-ness along with water on the floor in the kitchen where I work in food service. It was a total wipeout and my whole backside and legs were soaked. My boss said I had to report the fall whether I was hurt or not. At the time nothing hurt at all, but as the evening approaches my right lower right back is sore. I am hoping its just a buise thing. The main bosses were there to observe today too....how stupid did I feel. They said that I did not really have the exact shoes for the job.

So, do I have to see a dr? I have only been at the job 3 weeks and do not want to raise any problems. I am hoping that in the morning I'll feel fine.

Last week I fell sideways and was totally fine. Just clumbsy.

If anyone can fill me in on details I would appreciate it.

With the holidays quickly approaching I don't have time to be hurt. I just want to work and earn my paycheck. DH have been out of work (job elimination) since April. We really, really need my income.
Thanks in advance

 

[Pakey]

Unless it's a head injury, we do not force our employees to go to the doctor. We just have them sign a delination of service to show that we, as the employer, offered medical treatment. I'm surprised your employer didn't go over this with you immediately after your fall. Even if we have an employee decline at the time of accident, if they later request to go, we drive them to/from the doctor. Many times injuries seem minimal at the time of accident but a day or two later, it's realized they are serious enough to warrant a doctor's checkup.

Every employer has its own policy on work comp. We try to get the employees back to work as soon as possible after an injury, even if its on modified duty. Work comp will pay wages but it's at a reduced rate and most of our employees need to draw their full pay to survive. So many of our employees are getting treatment/having doctor visits (and we provide the transportation) but continue to work in whatever position the doctor says is okay for them to do.

 

[SCADC]

Never had a workman's comp accident, but I have worked in HR and safety and currently work as a staffing coordinator. Most companies do not want you to have a loss-time accident, so they will find "light duty" for you if the physician orders it. Now, if you have an injury that is not workman's comp, they do not have to do this.

I have only dealt with workman's comp in one state, so I am not sure if it differs from state-state, but workman's comp benefits do not kick in until you have missed on week of work. So, you would need to use sick, vacation, PTO, ETO, whatever your company has for that week. I see that you have been there 3 weeks, so most likely you do not have these benefits yet.

Hope you feel better.

 

[ElaineMarch]

Workers comp is different for each state. There is a forum at workerscompensationinsurance.com that you can ask questions at. There are also links for information about each state. Good luck.

 

[momxx5]

Thanks for the replies.

We'll see how I feel in the morning.
I think a good night's sleep is in order.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

In CA there is a 3 day waiting period, non-work days included before Total Temporary Disability kicks in. You will likely be directed where to go by your employer. It won't hurt to get checked out, workers comp is a no-fault system.

 

[3boymthr]

your boss wants you to report the fall because even if you aren't hurt now if you find a problem 6 months from now with your back they will have more problems if you don't report it and you will too - much harder to prove the problem is work related, much harder for them to get it covered, there is possible trouble with OSHA/DOL/Certifying agencies (if they do any type of government work) for them for not reporting work related injuries, etc.

DH has been injured a multiple times at work (some small some really big - I get a call from the emergency room at least once a year - he just has that type of job) and workman's comp covers all drs. and hospital bills related to the injury at no cost to you but don't be surprised at how long it takes to get the bill paid or if it goes into collections before it does (happens to us every time). But each time he had to be out several days (5??) before workman's comp coverage kicked in on the payroll side.

 

[nordkin]

In CA there is a 3 day waiting period, non-work days included before Total Temporary Disability kicks in. You will likely be directed where to go by your employer. It won't hurt to get checked out, workers comp is a no-fault system.

The highlighted portion is not true in all states. Virginia is not a no-fault state.

The other thing to remember is do not sign any papers relieving the employer from anything and insist on filling out an accident report, even if you do not go to the doctor right away as it protects you and the employer. OSHA tracks accidents in the work place and the root causes. They depend on reporting to improve the safety of workers on the job.