You can never be sure that you are entirely safe at work. Accidents can happen at any time, although some occupations are inherently riskier than others. Illness at work is something that can happen even when the work environment appears benign. Fortunately, there are very few employees in Utah who are not covered by workers’ compensation insurance carried by their employer. If you are unfortunate enough to suffer an injury or workplace illness, filing a workers’ comp. claim can help to pay for medical treatment and compensate for lost wages if you cannot go straight back to work. Employment in Utah Utah is a big state, but is mostly inhospitable outside the urban areas. This means that the state’s population is not as high as other similar sized states. Nearly 1.4 million Utahans were employed somewhere in the state, according to figures for May 2016 compiled by the Bureau of Labor. Half of Utah’s employed residents have jobs in five large employment categories. By far the greatest number of people (over 17%) is employed in an office of some type. Rather fewer (10%) work as sales assistants and in similar occupations. 8% work in food preparation and serving type jobs such as in fast food restaurants and cafes. 6.5% work in production and slightly less still in many different types of educational and training institutions such as schools, colleges, universities. Utah’s State laws Concerning Workers’ Compensation Insurance Provisions It is reassuring to know that you are most likely to be employed for an insured employer. Most employers must take out workers’ compensation insurance to cover their workforce in the event of an accident or illness outbreak at work. There are a few exceptions, so if you think that you may be in one of these, it is worth finding out what you are covered for at work before needing to make a claim. Generally, the only exceptions to the state’s insurance regulations are independent contractors and sole proprietors. These two categories do not have to have workers’ comp. insurance. As an employee you are given a quite generous time period to notify your employer of 180 days, but it is in your interest to let your supervisor know as soon as you are able to do so with details of how the injury or illness occurred. You then have 1 year from the date of the injury or onset of illness to make a workers’ comp. claim. No-Fault Benefits in Utah If you work at an assembly plant and somehow get your thumb torn off in a piece of machinery, it is most likely that you will be able to file a claim to help pay the costs of hospital treatment, including restoration work if your thumb is amputated. If the accident was partly your fault, for example because you did not follow established safety procedures to the letter, you should still be able to file a claim, as workers’ comp. insurance is independent of fault as long as the accident was not deliberate or due to intoxication. Workers’ comp. in Utah should compensate for not just medical expenses, but for temporary or permanent disability as well as a significant proportion of any wages lost due to absence from the job. An Experienced Workers’ Comp Attorney Can Give Valuable Advice About Your Claim If you are experiencing significant problems trying to file a claim or obtain compensation which you believe is your right, you should contact an experienced workers’ comp. attorney and discuss your particular circumstances. The attorney will advise you on your rights and suggest what you can do to make sure you get what you deserve.
