What Should I do if I am injured at work and what type of injuries are covered by Work Comp?

If you are injured on the job, it is critical to report the accident to your employer as soon as possible. Tell them what happened and what part of your body was injured. Be as detailed as possible! It is a good idea to keep notes of your conversations, and how your body feels. If your employer does not send you to a doctor, request that they do so.

Our goal at Cooper Law office is to help you get the treatment you need to get back to work as soon as possible. Give us a call to discuss if you have more questions regarding what to do if your hurt on the job.

Types of injuries Covered

Worker’s compensation covers almost all injuries that occur on the job. This includes injuries sustained in an accident, as well as those that develop over time due to repetitive use.

“Scheduled Injuries” typically involve the extremities of the body, arm, wrist leg, etc. If your injury involves only a scheduled injury (body part) you are entitled to compensation based on the number of weeks allowed by statute for that injury.

For example: The maximum weeks that may be paid for a thumb injury is 60 weeks, while a shoulder may be up to 225 weeks.

“Whole Body Injuries” involve parts that are not scheduled, and generally are injuries related to the neck, or back. However, two or more scheduled injuries are generally considered a whole-body injury. Kansas workers compensation law encourages employers to return injured workers back to work. If your employer returns you back to work, with or without accommodations following the injury, you are entitled compensation based on your impairment as rated by the doctors.

If you are not returned to work earning 90% of the wages you were earning at the time of the injury, you may be entitled to a work disability. More on work disability next week!

-Cooper Law Office