Sanitation workers have the job of keeping public facilities clean and healthy, especially the collection, treatment and disposal of all types of waste matter. They may work in individual buildings, in large municipal waste treatment works, or be on call to deal with sanitation and waste disposal emergencies. Sanitation workers include inspectors who regularly inspect premises and infrastructure to ensure they meet the standards required by the local city or state authority. Sanitation workers regularly work outdoors as well as indoors and have to deal with often confined and putrid environments. Injuries and illnesses do occur from time to time and are of a varied nature. Common Workplace Injuries There are many types of injuries possible while at work. Sanitation workers may get sick because of the contaminated and noxious environment in which they have to work from time to time. They may slip, or trip and then fall over on slippery or uneven surfaces. These slip and fall accidents are probably the cause of the most common sanitation work injuries. They can result in broken bones, dislocations and cuts and bruises, which can lead to serious internal infection if not treated swiftly. If the fall is from a height, then there is the possibility of more serious injuries such as to the back and head. Next Steps After a Workplace Injury All sanitation workers are likely to be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. If an injury occurs while at work, it is important that the employee’s immediate supervisor knows about the incident. The record is important for verifying any claim to be made later by the employee. The injured or sick worker should make sure that they attend the medical provider preferred by their employer if there is one, or risk losing any opportunity of making a claim. There are also time limits which are imposed on the claim process by the state, usually two to three years after the injury or discovery of the work related sickness. The main challenge that might be made by the insurer is that the injury did not happen while at work, but was pre-existing. It is important to have some proof that it did actually happen at work, e.g. corroboration from other employees. How Workers Compensation Can Help The two main components of a workers’ compensation claim are a payment to cover medical treatment and a payment to compensate for any earnings that have been lost as a result of absence from work. Generally, all medical costs that are relevant to the injury or illness will be paid by workers’ compensation, but only a percentage of lost earnings, typically two thirds. There are usually other potential benefits such as a payment to cover retraining if necessary and a permanent disability benefit if the injuries are very severe and prevent a return to work. Why You Should Contact a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer A genuine workplace injury or illness should not be too difficult to claim for, but not all claims unfortunately are as clear-cut as they should be. Insurers are never particularly keen on paying compensation and may challenge the claim or deny it all together. That’s when you will be looking for a workers’ compensation attorney to help explore your legal options. To discuss your claim with an attorney, complete the Free Case Evaluation on this page. Additional Resources Common Mistakes When Documenting My Workplace Accident What Types of Injuries Does a Workers’ Compensation Claim Cover?
