On a normal day, plumbers face several hazardous working conditions. On the days when Murphy’s Law comes into play, plumbers work in one of the most dangerous job environments. If you work as a plumber, you understand the gravity of trying to fix a water issue, with numerous electrical outlets sitting nearby. The question is not whether a plumber’s job is dangerous; it can be extremely dangerous. Instead, the question is does an illness or an injury suffered by a plumber qualify the plumber for workers’ compensation insurance? Enacted by every state, workers’ compensation laws ensure American workers receive compensation for suffering an illness or an injury while on the job. The mandated insurance plan has reduced the number of legal claims filed on already crowded court dockets. However, plumbers present an interesting legal dilemma for workers’ compensation lawyers that boils down to one question. Did a sick or injured plumber work for an employer or did the plumber work as an independent contractor? Workers’ compensation laws typically do not cover plumbers that suffer an illness or an injury while working as an independent contractor. What to Do Before Filing a Claim Although homeowners and commercial property owners do not assume responsibility to provide safe working environments for independent contractors, the same cannot be said for employers of trade professionals such as plumbers. The first thing you have to do after a work-related accident is to inform your employer about the incident. This is because employers have to relay the information to their insurance companies to launch an investigation that eventually gets back to your state’s workers’ compensation agency. Delaying the communication of a work-related illness or accident is a recipe to have your workers’ compensation claim denied. Filling Out the Paperwork Accurately Timing is a critical component of getting a claim approved, but so is presenting accurate information on a workers’ compensation form. Your employer is responsible for providing you with every form that you need to send a convincing claim to the state workers’ compensation agency. If you have difficulty completing any one of the documents required by law, the local workers’ compensation office can provide you with an experienced workers’ compensation advocate to make sure the forms you submit comply with state regulations. Accuracy is important because there are several reasons why your workers’ compensation claim can come back denied. The most common reason is the illness or the injury did not materialize at work. You might have cut yourself fixing a broken pipe at home or exposed yourself to tainted water outside of the workplace. Another reason for a denied claim is you did not seek medical attention after finding out about an illness or after suffering from an injury. Without medical documentation, a workers’ compensation claim carries no legal weight. You need paperwork that confirms a diagnosis and documents that prove you received treatment for an illness or an injury. Work with an Experienced Attorney A work-related illness or injury can prevent you from working for months on end. You cannot afford to file a workers’ compensation claim that comes back denied because of one or more errors. An experienced attorney that has helped a large number of clients receive workers’ compensation benefits can help you file an accurate claim, as well as monitor the status of the claim. Most workers’ compensation lawyers get paid when clients get paid. Schedule a free initial consultation with a highly rated workers’ compensation lawyer. Additional Resources What Might My WC Claim as an Injured Plumber Be Worth? Plumbers and Workers' Compensation
