There is a high chance that an employee at some time or other will be confronted with an injury at work or a sickness that has developed due to the working environment. Most times it’s almost impossible to predict as it is rare that someone deliberately exposes themselves directly to the likelihood of an accident taking place or even to substances or other events that could cause a serious sickness to develop. When a traumatic event like this does take place most states allow workers to claim workers’ compensation which covers the financial costs of an injury whether it’s the employer or employee’s fault. The Independent Pilots Association supports its members when they are injured at work and need to submit a claim for workers’ comp. Independent Pilots Association The Independent Pilots Association (IPA) represents more than 2,800 airline pilots who are employed by the United Parcel Service. The Independent Pilots Association Foundation was founded late in 1993 with its first fiscal year beginning on 1st July 1994. It is a self-sufficient entity and functions due to the money received from its membership. The IPA Government Affairs wing has issued a statement saying it promotes world aviation security and safety while encouraging sustained economic growth in the aviation industry". The IPA is also a member of the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA). Workplace Injuries Suffered by Independent Pilots Association Members Pilots, like any workers, are subject to unexpected injuries while engaged in the course of their duties. One reason that has been cited as a cause of back injuries in pilots is that they have to carry their own flight baggage and often have to move in an awkward manner through areas where there is limited space to co-ordinate their bodies properly. This, over time, has contributed significantly to chronic lower back pain. When in this situation a pilot can’t expect to work normally and be responsible for the safety of hundreds of passengers in the air at one time. The most common causes of pilot incapacitation and injury include: gastroenteritis caused by food poisoning; exposure to hypoxia, which is insufficient availability of oxygen caused by the normal pressurisation system not functioning properly at altitudes above 10,000 ft; fumes or smoke associated with a fire which causes unacceptable contamination of the airplane’s air conditioning; a bird strike or another event which causes physical injury; a malicious act like an assault by an out of control passenger. What to Do If You Have Been Hurt On the Job If you are a pilot and you have been injured or become sick while at work you need to get treatment as soon as possible. Once you have recovered your senses a little you should report the accident and injury to your usual supervisor using an injury report form made available to you. The next step is to make sure you have witnesses who are prepared to vouch that the accident took place at work. This is an essential part of any workers’ comp. claim as the employer’s insurer always wants to wriggle out of paying anything if the company can get away with it. One common excuse is that there is inadequate proof to show the injury took place at work. You will need a comprehensive medical report from your doctor outlining all the medical costs to date and the amount of medical care that will be required in the future. Once all this documentation has been gathered together you should contact a workers’ comp. attorney who will see you through the process. Why Contact an Attorney Talking to an attorney is an essential part of any workers’ comp. claim, as trying to submit a claim on your own could end up with the insurer not calculating the expenses you are likely to be faced with in the future. You may find it difficult to survive financially unless you have been awarded workers’ comp. that truly represents the financial hardship you need to endure. Further Reading Workers' Comp Claim - American Airlines* Help I was hurt working for US Airways! *Disclaimer The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against your employer, you may not be entitled to any compensation
