A park ranger usually works for the U.S. Parks and Wildlife Service or a state conservation or environmental agency. There are many different kinds of jobs including acting as guides to visitors, controlling invasive weeds, conducting animal counts and working behind a counter in a visitor’s information office. They work in all kinds of weather conditions, rain, shine or snow and indoors as well as outdoors. Common Workplace Injuries For a Park Ranger A park ranger working outdoors can suffer all types of injuries, such as bites from grizzly bears to back and head injuries from tripping over an obstacle. They can also be seriously injured when driving along park roads in winter when the roads are icy. They use weed killers to control invasive plant species that could cause long term health problems. Even a park ranger working in a visitor center could get back and head injuries if he or she falls down the stairs or off a balcony surrounding the visitor center. Next Steps After a Ranger’s Workplace Injury The Parks and Wildlife Service or equivalent state agency should have workers’ comp. cover for all its park rangers. However this doesn’t mean you will get it automatically but you have to go through a set procedure before you get your entitlement. The first step following your accident and subsequent injury is to let your supervisor know as soon as possible. Of course if you have been seriously injured, typically you will need to get medical treatment straightaway. One of your fellow rangers can report the accident on your behalf. One of the key things you will need is evidence to prove that the injury took place while at work. This can be through eye witness’s observations that can show that the accident happened while you were doing a job. Photographs of the accident site also show that your injury took place at work. The last step is to contact a workers’ comp. attorney who can help you with the workers’ compensation claim. How Workers Compensation Can Help If it wasn’t for workers’ compensation you would have to fund your lost wages and medical treatment. Workers’ compensation is available to ensure you don’t face any financial hardship due to a workplace injury. Workers’ compensation even covers an accident that might have been your fault. The workers’ compensation calculation is based on a percentage of your weekly wage plus the cost of medical treatment. Why You Should Contact a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer You may think that because you work for a government entity that workers’ compensation will come automatically. It’s not quite as easy as that. Insurers are never eager to hand out workers’ compensation payments but a workers’ compensation attorney can help to make the process easier and faster. The attorney will gather together all the necessary evidence, which will be support your claim and present it to the insurer. This takes the worry off your shoulders and gives you a higher chance of a quicker recovery knowing that you won’t have to bear any financial hardship. Fill out the Free Case Evaluation on this page to consult with a lawyer today. Additional Resources Common Mistakes When Documenting My Workplace Accident Falls and Workers' Compensation
