An Explanation of Workers' Rights

All workers have certain rights granted to them by federal laws as well as laws from individual states which protect them against workplace accidents and negligent employers. In addition to the benefits experienced by employees, employers benefit from these laws because they increase the productivity of employees. The community benefits from workers' compensation laws as well: the laws keep health costs low.

Injured Workers and Their Rights

If you are an employee in the United States, you should be familiar with your rights as a worker in regard to an injury, accident, and losses experienced in the workplace. These rights include:

Workers' Compensation:

Every worker in the United States is entitled to workers' compensation coverage. If you are hurt on the job or in the workplace, your employer may have a responsibility to help cover the costs of your medical needs. There are exceptions to the rule which vary by situation and state. If you think you are entitled to workers' compensation coverage that you have not received, you might consider seeking legal advice.

Disability Compensation:

If you experience an accident on the job, you may experience injuries that leave you with either temporary or permanent disabilities. These disabilities may even prevent you from returning to your job, forcing you to miss work or forcing you to find other employment. For this reason, disability compensation from your employer can help provide you with funds to help support yourself and your family either during your time of healing or permanently if you are unable to return to work. Depending on your injury, your work history, and your employer, your compensation will vary.

Information:

As an employee, you are entitled to proper education about safety, insurance coverage, and legal rights. Your employer is obligated to provide you with this information any time you have any questions about workers' compensation, disability compensation, or injury claims.

Formal Complaints:

You have the right to file a complaint if your employer neglects proper standards of employee safety and care or if you feel you have not gained just compensation for any loss. The Department of Workers' Compensation can provide you with information about complaints, as can your employer, your insurance representative, or a legal adviser.

Despite the rights of all United States workers, some employers fail to properly recognize these rights. In this case it is often advisable to seek legal assistance. For more information about work-related injuries and workers' compensation, contact the Des Moines workers' compensation lawyers of LaMarca & Landry, P.C.
Joseph Devine

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