Is Workers Comp Enough for Construction Workers? |
Posted: August 8, 2018 |
It’s well known that working in the construction industry is dangerous. From the kind of high-powered machinery they use, to the tight spaces they have to maneuver through and the dangerous heights they sometimes have to work off, I have a lot of confidence when I say that I’m not equipped to work within the construction industry. Construction workers deal with so many hazards on a daily basis that other professions do not. I’m thankful that, as a someone who works in the Human Resources field, heights aren’t a part of my job description! If they were, my fear of dangling high in the air would have been enough to make my look for a new career. These hazards though, can lead to unexpected accidents which in turn can cause severe and often catastrophic injuries for those involved. In some cases, these accidents may even be fatal. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) details just some of the most dangerous hazards that have caused the most injuries and fatalities called the “Fatal Four.” The “Fatal Four” includes the following which is responsible for an estimated 63.7% of all construction-related fatalities in 2016.
The “Fatal Four” is just an example of the kinds of dangers our construction workers face on a daily basis. While this kind of job is certainly not for the faint of heart, especially with the statistics above detailing the dangers, the good news is that workers’ compensation does exist to help curb the dangers associated with construction work - if and when an injury happens. As someone who's worked in the human resources field for years, workers’ compensation is my second language. An employee’s workers’ compensation is meant to kick in when they are injured on the job. Essentially, workers’ comp is designed to cover certain medical expenses and to make up for a portion of the injured employee’s lost wages. When it comes down to it, though, is workers’ compensation really enough for the average, injured construction worker and their family? Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are LimitedWith the operative words in the New York’s workers’ compensation statutes, for example, being “certain medical expenses” and “a portion of lost wages,” it is safe to say that workers’ compensation is not enough to cover the injured construction worker and their family. While the benefits are important, they do not cover everything that an injured worker might lose. These may include hospital bills, doctor visit copays, medicine, and in severe cases if you’re bedridden or worse, unable to work again. As a father of three, I take a lot of pride in being able to care for my family, especially during difficult times when my wife and children depend on me the most. While my job isn’t as dangerous as those who work in construction, injuries can still happen at any time, and in any location, regardless of your line of work. I’m fortunate that I haven’t sustained any injuries while on the clock. Workers’ compensation does not account for full income, for the entirety of future medical needs, or for the injured employee’s pain and suffering. Even worse, workers’ compensation is usually stifled by an expiration date, with benefits that expire after a certain period of time. It’s your best bet, as a construction worker, to identify all of the resources available to you should you sustain any type of work-related injury. Regardless of your injury, the bottom line is that you want to ensure you and your family will be taken care of. In the light of an injury, especially construction-related, it’s vital to look into all of your available resources that way you know you’ll be taken care of in this time of need.
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