When you get up and go to work, do you spend any time at all thinking about whether or not you’ll come home safe at the end of your shift? Very few people consider the possibility of getting hurt on the job. Yet, it’s something that happens to people each and every day. If you’re hurt on the job and no longer able to work, how would you pay your monthly expenses and keep food on the table? What would you do about the pile of medical bills? An on the job injury can turn into a financial catastrophe. How Workers’ Compensation May Help Workers’ compensation may help you if you’ve been hurt on the job. It is a form of insurance that is required by state law for most employers. Injured workers do not pay anything in order to file a claim or receive benefits. The goal of workers’ compensation is to be a safety net for people like you who are hurt on the job. You must choose to file a claim if you wish to be considered for workers’ compensation benefits. Some of the most common benefits include lost wages, medical assistance, and job training. To receive a portion of your lost wages, you must be unable to work temporarily or permanently because of the injury. This is determined by the doctor that you see for your injury. You are entitled to emergency medical treatment or to see a doctor. Your employer can provide you with a list of doctors who can treat you at no cost. Workers’ compensation may help with hospitalizations, medication, doctors’ visits, therapy, and even surgery. You may also get help with needed medical devices such as crutches, a brace, or a wheelchair. Job training may be provided for workers who are hurt but will never be able to return to the original occupation. It is designed to teach new skills to help injured workers return to the workforce. Company Profile: AirTran AirTran Airways is headquartered in Orlando, Florida. They recently merged with Southwest Airlines. Before their merger, they operated primarily in the eastern and Midwestern United States. The acquisition of AirTran by Southwest Airlines expanded Southwest’s locations. Before the acquisition, AirTran had around 8,000 employees. The employees were integrated into positions with Southwest Airlines. Risks Faced by AirTran Employees AirTrain Airways is now owned and operated under the Southwest Airlines brand. Regardless of the name, all workers face risk when they go to work. The risk of an on-the-job injury primarily depends on your postion at Airtran. For example: Flight Attendants: Flight attendants have an important job. They help passengers on and off the plane and help keep them comfortable during the flight. However, turbulence is a common problem on flights and it often isn’t expected. You could hit your head, damage your spine, or experience another serious injury if you are thrown around in the cabin because of turbulence. Service Agents: Service agents answer the phones and help travelers book flights. Constant use of a computer can cause neck strain and permanent injuries to your hands, wrists, and arms known as repetitive stress injury. Get Answers to Your Questions If you were hurt on the job, you probably have a lot of questions about workers’ compensation. Get answers to your questions by taking the time to contact a qualified workers’ compensation attorney. *The content of this article serves only to provide information. If you file a claim against Airtran, Southwest Airlines or any of its related companies, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
