What’s the first thought in your head when you go to work? Chances are, it’s not wondering about whether you’ll get hurt on the job. Although all jobs have risks that can cause an injury, it’s just not something most of us spend a lot of time thinking about. Yet, it’s something we should think about. What would you do if you were hurt on the job? Could you pay your monthly expenses? Do you have enough money in a savings account? An on the job injury can be a financial nightmare. Workers’ Compensation Basics Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that is designed to protect workers just like you who are hurt when they are working. It is a legal requirement in each state for most employers. There’s no charge to workers to file a claim and receive benefits. If you’re hurt during your shift, do not continue to work because that can make your injury work. Immediately inform your supervisor and ask how you can file a workers’ compensation claim. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. When you file a claim, you may receive certain benefits including: Lost wages – If you’re unable to work either temporarily or permanently, you may be entitled to receive a portion of your lost wages through workers’ compensation. Help with medical expenses – If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Otherwise, ask your supervisor for a list of doctors who can treat you at no charge when you file your claim. You may also receive help with prescriptions, medical devices, physical therapy, and other medical needs. There are other benefits available to injured workers through workers’ compensation. However, to receive any benefits, you must first file a claim through your employer. Company Profile: American Airlines American Airlines is one of the nation’s best known airlines. They are headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. They have almost 400 flights each day in the nation and around the world. They have more than 100,000 employees. Risks Faced by American Airlines Employees Each job, regardless of industry, has risks. The risks you face related to the likelihood of being hurt on the job depends on your job duties. Below you’ll find a list of some of the common jobs offered by American Airlines and some of the associated risks: Aircraft Mechanic – Working with lubricants, oils, and other liquids related to the care and maintenance can cause you to get hurt. You may have skin irritation. You may slip when you’re walking and fall and hit your head or hurt your back. Working with moving parts on the airplane can cause serious injury or even death if your clothing or hair gets caught in the moving parts. Flight Attendant – A flight attendant helps people board and leave the flight. They also attend to the comfort and needs of the passengers. However, turbulence can’t always be predicted. If you’re serving coffee, you could suffer from a third degree burn. You could get thrown around in the cabin and seriously injured. How To File a Claim Against American Airlines American Airlines employs many different types of staff including pilots, flight attendants and maintenance workers. All of these are at risk of being injured as they are high risk occupations. Whether it is slipping and falling while boarding or checking an American Airlines plane or being injured while in the air from the effect of turbulence. Like most other large U.S. employers, American Airlines will be covered by workers’ compensation insurance, which pays compensation to a worker who has been injured on the job. Steps You Need to Follow for a WC Claim from American Airlines If you are injured during in flight turbulence while working as a flight attendant and you wish to file a claim for workers’ compensation there are a series of steps you must follow so that you can get the WC you deserve. However, you should ensure you get your injury treated before starting a WC claim. Sometimes you have to accept medical treatment from a doctor approved by American Airlines. Other employers may allow you to choose your own medical treatment provider. This may apply to accessing prescription medicines and any diagnostic tests you may require so that you get the right medical treatment from the start after your injury. As soon as you have your injury under control you have to make sure you tell your American Airlines supervisor about the injury. The time you are given to do this varies from state to state. Sometimes you are given just 24 hours while in other states you may be allowed up to 30 days. If you miss out this important step you may find you do not qualify for WC benefits. Next you will be told to complete a workers’ compensation claim form. This is when you have to submit all a full description about the injury as follows: the date, time, and place of the injury; if any other American Airline’s employees were present when the injury took place; a description of how the injury took place; a description of the medical treatment needed so far. There is a time limit for filling in the claim form which is typically 2 or 3 years from the injury date. Failure to meet this deadline could exclude you from any further claims for workers’ compensation. Part of your WC settlement includes the full cost of medical treatment until you have fully recovered from the injury. To ensure you collect the full amount you should keep in a safe place any receipts for the use of an ambulance, treatment at an emergency room and any medicines you were prescribed but had to pay upfront for. Don’t forget to include out of pocket expenses such as taxi rides to the doctor. If you still have unpaid medical bills these amounts should be included in your WC claim. The next step is waiting for the result of your workers’ compensation claim. It is up to American Airline’s WC insurer to accept or deny your claim. If on receiving the outcome and the settlement is lower than expected typically in relation to medical treatment and the time you need to fully recover, you may ask American Airlines to grant you permission to get a second opinion. You may be able to negotiate a compromise with the WC insurer. If your claim is denied all is not lost as you should be able to file an appeal. Don’t try and do this on your own as this is the time to seek help from an experienced WC attorney. One of the main reasons for denying a WC claim is the lack of sufficient evidence showing the injury took place at work or mistakes may have been made on the claim form. You should not even think about filing an appeal all on your own as it is doomed to fail. Your WC attorney will go through your evidence with a fine tooth comb as it is the proof that is the downfall of most WC claims. Gathering Evidence for an American Airlines Workers’ Compensation Claim There cannot be any element of doubt in the evidence you provide supporting your WC claim for an American Airlines flight attendant. Examples of Evidence That Can Be Used in an American Airlines WC Claim Evidence supporting your eligibility for a WC claim include: photographs taken at the scene of the accident either by you or your work mates; eye witness accounts revealing what caused your injury; photographic evidence found on surveillance cameras situated in the airlines’ saloon from American Airlines surveillance cameras; medical report with a plausible diagnosis and medical treatment so far and further medical treatment required written by your physician ( if this is permitted); receipts for any medical treatment already paid for; invoices for treatment that still requires payment; receipt for an ambulance if required. Hurt on the Job? Talk to a Professional If you’re hurt on the job, you’re likely scared and full of questions. Make the time to speak with a qualified workers’ compensation attorney to get answers to your questions and to make sure that you’re getting the benefits that you deserve. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against American Airlines or any of its related companies, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
