Worker's Comp and Sheet Metal Mechanics Sheet metal is used for a lot of things. It’s part of the duct work of your home. It can be used in roofing. It’s used to build machines. It takes special training to work with sheet metal. Sheet metal mechanics create many of the things we need from sheet metal. Often, they have specialized training or an apprenticeship depending on where they will work. Sheet metal mechanics get paid well, but they face dangers each and every day in their workspace. If you’re a sheet metal mechanic, ask yourself one question: what would you do if you got hurt on the job? Think about your monthly expenses. Could you make the ends meet without your paycheck? Thankfully, there is a law in each state that requires most employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ comp acts as a safety net to the men and women that get hurt on their job. It’s provided at no cost to you as an employee. How Does Workers’ Compensation Help Sheet Metal Mechanics? If you’re hurt on the job as a sheet metal mechanic, you are eligible for workers’ compensation. You have the option of filing a claim if you get sick or hurt on the job. You get help paying your medical bills, cost of prescriptions, and other things that you need to help you get back to work. Workers’ comp provides a portion of your lost wages, too. It’s not a matter of fault. It’s not a matter of whether you could have prevented your injury. Worker's comp is required by law, and it is in place to take care of your medical expenses. In severe injuries, it can even pay for job training. Risks to Sheet Metal Mechanics Depending on your work environment, you face specific risks as a sheet metal mechanic. Working with grinders and other equipment can cause injuries to your body. Sheet metal can cut you, too. If you’re installing or repairing sheet metal in duct work or on the roof and you fall, you could break your neck or your back. CNC machines can take off fingers. If you work on the computer running computer aided drafting programs, you could end up with a repetitive stress injury. Laser cutters are dangerous and can cause substantial injury to your body. Hurt? Here’s What You Should Do If you get hurt on the job, you should make sure to do these things: Immediately tell your supervisor if you’ve been hurt or if you are sick. Don’t wait until the end of your shift. If a laser cutter or other machine has malfunctioned and hurt you, your supervisor needs to know even if it’s not a serious injury. This protects other people. It can also help protect your legal rights. Fill out an accident report right away. You can do this with your supervisor or ask to speak with the OSHA or HR rep. It is easier to fill it out right away. If you’ve been seriously injured, call 911. The responding officer will complete an informational report and give you a report number. You can get a copy of the police report. Go see a doctor. If you’re bleeding, missing a limb, have a broken bone, or suspect that you’ve hurt your back or neck, see a doctor right away. You are entitled to get emergency care. If you have a repetitive stress injury from using the mouse on the computer for the CAD program, get the information for the workers’ comp doctor. Seeing the doctor listed on the policy means that you won’t pay anything out of pocket. You can make an appointment with your own doctor, but you will pay for that visit. Keep all of your receipts. You can be reimbursed. Call a workers’ compensation attorney. Even if you don’t think your injury is all that serious, you should call a workers’ comp attorney. Unfortunately, workers’ comp insurance will do whatever they can to settle your claim for as little as possible and try to deny your treatment. The only way that you can make sure that you are treated fairly is to have an attorney on your side. Protect Your Legal Rights If you are hurt on the job or made sick as a sheet metal mechanic, you have legal rights that must be protected. Follow the four steps listed above. Do not talk to the insurance company on your own. You could be pressured into signing documents that take away your legal rights. Get the compensation you deserve. Talk to an experienced workers’ comp attorney.
