If you trip and fall while at work and you are injured, you should be entitled in Indiana to workers compensation, which is paid by your employer or your employer’s insurer. Worker’s compensation provides for medical expenses and the value of most of any loss of income you encounter because you are unable to work. Benefits are also paid to your dependents should you die as a result of your injuries. If you encounter any problems accessing your entitlements you should wait no longer, but contact an experienced attorney who will work hard to ensure you get what you deserve. Indiana Employment Altogether in Indiana there were a total of 2,947,380 people employed, with an average hourly rate of $20.23. There were 50,480 heavy vehicles and tractor-trailer drivers working an average yearly rate of $43,240. Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers make up 62,480 of the workforce at $27,030 per annum. Transportation and material moving jobs employ 250,630 at $33,970 annually. Management occupations employ 138,720 people, averaging $93,600 annually. In April 2014, Indiana boasted that it had the highest total share across the state for non farming employment like manufacturing (16.9 percent). (2015 Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Statistics) Workers Compensation in Indiana Once you start your job you should be covered by workers comp. Indiana law requires that most businesses take out worker’s compensation insurance. You must report any accident immediately to your employer. If you wait more than thirty days you may find your claim is denied. The employer in Indiana is responsible for controlling your medical care. If you don’t think that you are receiving sufficient medical care you might be able to file with the Workers Compensation Board an Application for adjustment of Claim. If you are unable to go back to work for seven days or more, you are entitled to weekly benefits. You should receive the 1st weekly installment after 15 days following the injury. This is not subject to tax and the maximum amount you can receive is 66.66% of your average weekly pay. You are not permitted to receive both workers compensation and unemployment benefit concurrently. What does Workers Compensation Cover? Workers’ comp covers occupational illnesses, as well as injuries. Injuries are those that have taken place in an accident at work like a broken arm or burns from a hot substance. Occupational diseases cover illnesses that take place over a period of time, such as injuries that are caused by repetitive movements while undertaking a job at work like carpal tunnel syndrome and illnesses due to toxic substance exposure, such as asbestos. You May Need a Workers Comp Attorney If you have been denied worker’s comp benefits by your employer or discover that the compensation awarded is insufficient, you should seek legal assistance from a worker’s comp attorney who will argue on your behalf to get the entitlements you deserve. It’s not easy taking the law into your own hands but an attorney knows how to use tact and persuasion to get what is rightfully yours.
