Blue-collar workers often have more direct job risks than white-collar employees. They work with heavy machinery or in dangerous environments. They use their bodies for arduous tasks that can cause cumulative trauma or repetitive strain.
Eventually, they may develop medical conditions or suffer injuries that affect their ability to continue working. They may have too much pain to do their job efficiently. They may develop functional limitations that prevent them from working safely.
Some job injuries are so severe that a worker may never return to gainful employment. Others are serious enough to force a blue-collar employee into a different, lower-paid profession. Workers’ compensation can often help those who cannot continue their careers after an injury.
How benefits can help injured workers
Workers’ compensation is potentially available to any employed individual with a medical condition directly caused by their employment. Medical benefits can be a crucial form of support. A worker who loses their job due to medical challenges may eventually also lose their health insurance coverage. Thankfully, they can rely on workers’ compensation medical benefits for continued treatments including pain management and rehabilitation services.
Additionally, they can potentially seek disability benefits. Short-term disability benefits are available for workers undergoing treatment until they can return to their jobs. Permanent disability benefits are available when workers can never return to their previous rules.
Permanent total disability benefits are available for those who cannot work any job following a significant work injury. Permanent partial disability benefits are available for those who must move into different professions.
Workers’ compensation can provide either a lump-sum settlement for a permanent injury or disability benefits based on the difference between prior earning potential and current income. Those seeking workers’ compensation benefits often require assistance. Especially if they require long-term support or have an employer that wants to settle the matter, assistance with the claims process is crucial.
Partnering with an attorney allows a worker to focus on their recovery and may improve their chances of obtaining the maximum workers’ compensation benefits available. If a blue-collar employee has to end their career or change jobs, workers’ compensation can help defray some of their losses.