Painters help all of us have the home of our dreams. It doesn’t matter if it is new construction or if someone is looking to remodel, we all rely on painters. If you’re a painter that’s employed by a construction or remodeling company, you face a lot of risks. What would you do if you were hurt at work? Could your family pay the bills without your income? Getting hurt or sick from your job is a potential financial nightmare. Illness or injury don’t stop the monthly bills from coming in. Thankfully, each state has enacted a law that makes most employers provide workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. This is provided without any cost to you. It doesn’t matter if you could have prevented your injury. It doesn’t matter if someone told you about the risks of being constantly exposed to paint fumes or that the small motions used to paint could cause repetitive stress injury. You are entitled to file a workers’ compensation claim. How Workers’ Compensation Helps Painters Workers’ compensation insurance is in place to help you avoid a financial disaster if you are hurt on the job as a painter. If you get hurt or sick on the job, you should file a workers’ compensation claim. It will provide money for your medical care, prescriptions, surgery, and even therapy. It can also help you and your family by paying you some of your lost wages. Risks Faced By Painters If you’re a painter, you face risks each day that you work. Falling from a ladder or from a roof can cause serious and permanent back and neck injuries. It could also cause broken bones. Using paint brushes day in and day out for years can cause injuries to your hands, wrists, and arms. Then, you have to face the risk of inhaling fumes from paints, paint thinner, and paint remover. These items can cause damage to your lungs. Protect Your Rights By Following These Steps If you’re hurt on the job or if you’re sick from being exposed to paint fumes or other chemicals, follow these four steps to protect your rights. Contact your supervisor as soon as possible. As a painter, you sometimes work without your supervisor on the job site. Stop what you’re doing and call him or her right away. Don’t wait until you’re done for the day. Fill out an accident report with your employer as soon as you can. However, if you’ve got chemical burns or if you’re dealing with an injury that is potentially serious, call 911. The police who respond will complete an informational report. Get the report number. You can get a copy of their report. Your OSHA rep or your HR rep can help you. See a doctor right away. If you’re having trouble breathing because of paint fumes, please get emergency help. This is a very serious matter. If you have a minor injury, you can see your own doctor or the doctor listed on the workers’ compensation policy. The doctor listed on the policy won’t charge you anything. If you pay your doctor or pay for anything out of pocket, keep your receipts for reimbursement. Call a workers’ compensation attorney for a consultation. Your employer’s insurance company doesn’t have your best interest in mind. They want to settle for as little as possible. If you sign something without talking with an attorney, you could sign away your rights. Walker V. Bondex International Inc., et al. According to Big Class Action, Vernon Walker was a union painter in Dallas, Texas who painted homes and businesses. During his work, he was exposed to numerous paint products that were made with asbestos. As a result of this exposure, Mr. Walker contracted mesothelioma. A jury ultimately awarded Mr. Walker $11 million. Protect Yourself If you work as a painter and you are sick or hurt because of your job, you need to make sure that you are protected. The best way to do that is to have a qualified workers’ comp attorney on your side.
