After an on-the-job accident that causes injuries, you may be able to file a claim against Ford Motor Company seeking benefits. These benefits, known as workers’ compensation, are offered exclusively to hurt employees in order to help cover accident-related expenses. Almost all companies with at least one employee are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. These policies are used to protect you in the event you’re injured while doing your job. Specifically, workers’ compensation benefits can cover your medical expenses, make up for lost wages, and even offer payment if you become disabled because of your accident. Potential Ford Motor On-the-Job Hazards To keep up with the global demand of their popular vehicles, Ford Motor has 65 manufacturing plants around the world. As an employee of Ford Motor, you may help with the assembly, manufacture, and distribution of these vehicles, by filling roles like: Production laborer Body engineer Assembler Paint specialist Maintenance Tool & Die worker These positions almost always require working in an industrial plant setting where you may face daily dangers as you work near heavy machinery, many moving parts, chemicals, cleaners, and power tools. This can lead to accidents and injuries like: Exposure to hazardous chemicals and paint fumes Hand and limb crush injuries while using machinery Back and neck strains from repeat movements while assembling vehicle parts Slip and fall incidents as a result of manufacturing debris and built up grease As an employee of Ford Motor, regardless of your position or job responsibilities, you may be able to recover workers’ compensation benefits if you’re injured while working. State Laws and Ford Motor Workers’ Compensation Policy A national company, like Ford Motor, almost always needs to have workers’ compensation policies in place. These laws vary by state but typically require employers with at least one employee to provide these benefits as a way of protecting injured workers. States often make workers’ compensation mandatory for most companies in order to help injured employees, like you, receive help with financial and physical recovery following a workplace accident. Ford Motor Workers’ Compensation Claim In the Missouri workers’ compensation case, Buie v. Ford Motor Company, Mr. Buie slipped and fell while at work and injured his right knee. Mr. Buie filed a workers’ compensation claim against Ford Motor Company following his workplace injury. A judge awarded him 40 weeks’ worth of lost wages for the time it took him to heal as well as medical expenses. In total, Mr. Buie was given more than $20,000 in compensation to cover his accident-related damages. Mr. Buie's case is just one example of a workers' compensation claim against Ford Motor Company, and you may wonder what the value of your own case would be. You can find more information about the value of your claim here: How Much is A Ford Motor Claim Worth? Examples of a Ford Motor Company’s Workers’ Compensation Claim All employees of the Ford Motor Company, wherever they work, are covered by the company’s workers’ compensation insurance policy. Details of the procedure vary from state to state, but basically there are more similarities than there are differences. In some states, the injured employee files a claim directly with Ford’s insurer while in others, with a state workers’ compensation board or agency. It is important to know what the process is before filing a claim. As long as the injury happened while at work, either a long term workplace injury, or an injury due to an unforeseen accident, the first step is to ensure that your supervisor has been informed of the injury, specifically how it took place and when. This information should be recorded officially in the company’s accident database and will be used as evidence when presenting the claim to the insurer. The date of the injury as recorded will also determine when workers’ compensation payments will be paid from. Any injury or suspected injury should be followed up by medical assessment and treatment. It is important to check whether your employer’s insurer insists on using a preferred medical provider and physician or whether you can choose your own. After treatment, you should file the claim with the insurer or workers’ compensation board, depending on the state you work in. Submit evidence that the injury happened at work, such as statements from fellow employees or your supervisor. Include all documentation from medical providers showing the nature of your injury, the treatment provided and the cost of all treatment. Throughout the workers’ compensation process, note there are time limits at each stage. Make sure you know what they are and that you keep to them. Average Settlement Against the Ford Motor Company The Ford Motor Company employs a large number of workers who do varied jobs. This means that injuries could range from minor slips and falls in an office environment through to major crushing injuries, amputations and fatalities. A workers’ compensation settlement will be determined by the average earnings that the injured employee was earning before the injury, how long it takes before a return to work, the cost of medical treatment and any complications that arise if the injury is more permanent. Most workers’ compensation payments are determined by state workers’ comp. rules. Time off work is calculated at around two thirds of average earnings, although in serious injuries like amputations this might be more, even as much as 100%. Generally, all relevant medical treatment costs are recoverable. An example of a settlement for an injury that could easily have happened at a Ford plant is a case of a punch press operator in Illinois in 2004. The female worker lost three fingers when the machine she was working on fell suddenly on top of her, cutting off her fingers. She brought a workers’ compensation claim against her employer as well as a separate personal injury claim against the manufacturer of the machine that caused her injury. She received a final combined settlement of $230,000, of which a third was from workers’ compensation. Another Illinois example of a settlement was of a machine parts factory employee who lost his arm above the elbow when a part of the machine he was working on was suddenly ejected and severed his arm. He sued the machine manufacturer as well as his employer and claimed workers’ compensation as well. The workers’ compensation claim was for $150,000 lost earnings and $100,000 in medical treatment, but in the end he received over $500,000 in workers’ compensation and $1,750,000 from the manufacturer’s insurer. Evidence for a Ford Motor Co. Workers’ Compensation Claim The most important evidence needed for any workers’ compensation claim is to demonstrate that an injury actually happened at work and not somewhere else. In most Ford situations, there would be enough employees around at any time to confirm the details of an accident that caused a workplace injury. Statements from these employees will be used as evidence to help settle the claim. If photos of damaged machinery or operating equipment such as a faulty conveyor belt can be taken then these will also be useful. In addition to this evidence, documentation of the costs of medical treatment and doctor’s reports will be needed. How Can A Worker's Compensation Attorney Help My Ford Motor Company Claim? Each state has different laws that specify the amount of time you have to file a claim. Ford Motor Company may even have specific rules you must follow in order to start the claims process. If you do not follow these steps or file your claim within the allowed time, your case may be automatically denied. A workers’ compensation attorney will understand your state’s laws and be able to start a claim for you. This allows you to focus on your recovery while your attorney gathers evidence, documents your injuries, and follows the necessary steps in order to get your claim approved. With an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer pursuing your case, your rights will be protected as they fight to win the maximum compensation available for your claim. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Ford Motor, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
