Telecommunications and IT technicians have important and varied jobs. It may seem that they have similar responsibilities but in reality they have different areas in which they work, although there is considerable overlap. IT technicians inspect, maintain and repair computers and related equipment. This is usually in offices, schools, homes, or in their own workshops. Basically, IT technicians do not have a very demanding physical job, but rely on their knowledge and analytical skills to do what is required. Telecommunications technicians, on the other hand, may not specifically work just with computers, but may be called out to inspect, maintain, install and repair telecommunications equipment. This could be in a building, on the street, on a mountain top or underground. Common Workplace Injuries IT technicians do not face any particularly unique injury risks, unless they are dealing with very large systems in which case they may be working with high voltage or high current power supplies. There is a danger of electrocution in these circumstances, especially if there is a fault that has to be identified and rectified. Telecommunications workers face much more varied risks as they may be called out to deal with all sorts of emergencies and faults. They may have to be dropped on to a remote tower on a hill or mountain top. They may have to deal with the results of an earthquake or bad storm. They may have to crawl into a narrow culvert or space in a building to access infrastructure. Electrocution, slips and falls and trips and falls are the most likely accidents. Next Steps After a Workplace Injury IT technicians may be self employed and therefore have to take out private health insurance to cover them while working. Those that work for an employer, like the vast majority of telecommunications technicians, will be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. The first step is to get treatment. This may be up to the individual worker, or there may be a stipulation that a preferred medical provider is to be used. Often, an employer will insist that a preferred physician is seen first to diagnose the problem and then the worker can use their own doctor or hospital. It is important to inform the employer through the supervisor about the injury and ensure the incident is officially recorded. The employer may need to relay this information to the state agency that deals with workers’ compensation. How Workers Compensation Can Help Workers’ compensation mainly covers the cost of medical treatment and lost earnings, but not things like ‘pain and suffering’ that are typical of personal injury claims. Usually, the full cost of medical treatment should be available, although there may be a proviso, as has already been mentioned, that an insurer’s preferred medical provider is used. Usually, this is because it is cheaper for the insurer! Lost earnings are calculated as a percentage, typically around two thirds, of what might have been earned if the technician had been able to go to work. Why You Should Contact a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer It is advisable to talk to a workers’ compensation attorney before submitting a claim to make sure that sufficient documentation is included. Generally, this documentation is not as onerous a personal injury claim as there is no need to prove that an employer was at fault. If the claim is challenged or denied for any reason, then the attorney can help the injured technician prepare for an appeal. Get started on your claim and fill out the Free Case Evaluation on this page to consult with a lawyer. Additional Resources Falls and Workers' Compensation How Long Do I Have To Be Out Of Work To Get Workers’ Comp?
