Workers-Compensation---Know-Your-Rights

America has long since passed a myriad of laws designed to keep employees safe at the workplace. Every state has flexibility in this regard to some degree, but the underlying premise remains the same. You, as an employee, have a right to work in an environment that is deemed to be reasonably safe, secure, and healthy. There are occasions, however, when these expectations are not met and some type of harm or injury occurs. This could be attributed to an accident, or the result of employer negligence, but the bottom line is that you are likely entitled to some form of worker’s compensation. If you are injured on the job in the Baltimore area, there are some questions that you will likely have. Here are some basic answers to a few of those.

What Can I Do To Protect My Rights?

If you are injured on the job, no matter how minor or major that injury might be, you do have certain rights afforded to you by law. You do, however, need to take some immediate steps to protect those rights. The first is to report the injury to your employer, and complete as detailed an incident report as possible. Many states do have laws that stipulate how long you have to report such an injury, so time is really of the essence here. Try to do so within the very same day, if at all possible. If you are severely injured, the extent to which you can report the incident may be limited, but do the best you can given the circumstances. After you have done this, you will want to file a worker’s compensation claim with the court in Baltimore. This will serve to officially notify both your employer and the court of your injury, and it will protect your legal rights at the same time.

What Exactly Are My Rights?

If you have already taken the necessary steps to protect your legal rights upon being injured on the job, your next logical step is to consider what your rights actually are. Again, this varies from state to state, but there are some general guidelines to consider in this regard.

• You do have the right to see a doctor and to pursue any necessary medical care and treatment associated with your injury.
• You have the right to file a claim with either the worker’s compensation or industrial court office. This claim will detail your injuries.
• Upon receiving a release from your physician or hospital, you have the right to return to work.
• If you are not able to return to work because of the injury, or ensuing illness, you will have the right to some degree of compensation for your disability.
• You have the right to be represented by a lawyer.

Some injuries that occur on the job will be taken care of to your satisfaction by your employer. If you are receiving any difficulty at all in receiving adequate compensation, however, consider contacting a Baltimore based lawyer for immediate guidance moving forward.