Virginia workers who sustained injuries on the job are eligible for workers’ compensation. For their injuries to be covered, the specific requirements of Virginia Workers’ Compensation must be met. Workers’ comp pays for compensable injury; however, injured workers should know if their injuries count as compensable injuries. An experienced employment attorney richmond va can determine whether your injury qualifies for a workers’ comp claim.
What Workers’ Compensation Covers
If you have been injured on the job, workers’ compensation can cover your medical, rehabilitation, and disability expenses, depending on the severity of your injury. Also, workers comp may offer death benefits to the family or dependents of an employee who lost their lives in a work-related accident.
The Workers’ Compensation Process
If you have sustained injuries on the job, you should report your injury to your employer within 30-45 days of the injury. You can notify your employer with a formal letter or email that details the work injury. When notified, your boss will advise the state workers’ comp board and the insurance carrier. If your claim is not disputed, you will start getting benefits from the insurance carrier. But, you may be required to see a doctor. If the insurance company denies your claim, you can file an appeal with the state workers’ compensation board.
Kinds of Injuries Covered Under Workers’ Comp
A work-related injury occurs while you were doing something in the course of your employment. The majority of injuries classified as work-related are those that happen at the workplace and those that may occur in company-owned vehicles.
An injury that happens during lunch break at the company cafeteria or other employer-owned grounds can be considered work-related. In addition, a pre-existing condition that worsened during the course of employment may be covered by worker’s comp. Repetitive motion or cumulative trauma type injuries that result from overuse or continuous body stress are not covered under Virginia Workers Compensation Act. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the only exception to this rule, but your doctor should specifically say the injury was caused by the employment. Moreover, workers’ comp also covers psychological injuries such as Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression as long as it they result from a covered physical injury. For instance, a life-changing physical injury such as the loss of a limb can result in psychological conditions that require you to get mental health care. A psychological injury related to a sudden sock or frit that occurs at work is also covered under workers’ comp.
