Working for an airline as a pilot or a flight attendant is a great way to see the world. Even if you’re well paid by the airline, think about what you would do if you were hurt on the job an unable to work. Could you pay your monthly expenses? Do you have money in a savings account for emergencies? Mounting medical debt is one of the main reasons why people file bankruptcy each year. Injured at Work? You Have Rights If you’re hurt on the job, you have rights under the law. Every state has a legal requirement for most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance is provided at no charge to you as an injured worker. If you choose to file a workers’ compensation claim, you may gain access to helpful benefits such as: Help with medical expenses. Regardless of whether your injury was your fault, requires emergency care or follow-up, workers’ compensation can help. You can also get help with the cost of prescriptions, crutches, hospital stays, and even surgery. When you file your workers’ compensation claim, ask for a list of doctors who can treat you at no charge. Lost wages. If your injury renders you unable to work either temporarily or permanently, then you may be eligible to receive part of your lost wages if you file a workers’ compensation claim. Training for a new job. If you’re unable to return to your occupation because of the severity of your injury, you may be eligible to get training for a new job through workers’ compensation. There are other benefits available through workers’ compensation insurance. However, to qualify to receive any benefits, you must first choose to file a claim through your employer. Company Profile: SkyWest Airlines SkyWest Airlines is headquartered in St. George, Utah. They are a regional airline. SkyWest has almost 2,000 departures each day. They have around 11,000 employees. Risks of Working for SkyWest Airlines SkyWest hires for numerous positions. Some of the most common positions include being a pilot, a flight attendant, and an airplane mechanic. All jobs have risk associated with them. This list of potential risks isn’t all-inclusive. You can likely think about your job duties and recognize your own risks. Pilots – Pilots spend a lot of time sitting and controlling the airplane. Although a crash is a risk, there is a higher chance of someone being hurt in an auto accident than being involved in an airplane crash. However, airplane crashes can and do happen. If a pilot is hurt in an airplane crash, they should consider filing a workers’ compensation claim. Other risks include being hurt during instances of turbulence and developing repetitive stress injury. Flight attendants – A flight attendant has the important job of caring for passengers during the flight. A slip and fall in a closed space can be extremely traumatic. You could hit your head on the floor or even on the arm of a passenger’s chair. Turbulence is another risk that can cause severe injury. Spilling hot coffee on yourself can cause severe burns. Mechanics – Airplane mechanics have an important job. They keep the airplanes working properly. To do this, they use heavy machines and often work with extremely heavy parts. Improper lifting can hurt your back, knees, or neck. A slip and fall can cause you to hit your head. Being exposed to oil and other chemicals used to construct and install new parts may cause burns to your skin, eyes, or lungs. Hurt During Your SkyWest Shift? If you’re hurt during your shift at SkyWest, you should consider filing a workers’ compensation claim to get help with the expenses associated with your injury. You should contact a workers’ compensation attorney to find out about your rights under the law. A workers' compensation claim can take a long time to be approved, so be sure to contact a workers' compensation attorney as soon as possible. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against SkyWest, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
