Timber workers, loggers, lumberjacks. They may be different names for the same occupation, but there’s no denying the fact that the people who work in the timber industry are in one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. There are many ways that a lumberjack could become injured or suffer from chronic illness. Fortunately, most employers are required to take out workers’ compensation insurance to cover their employees if they are injured or become ill at work. This helps injured timber workers because they can claim all their work-related medical injury costs, as well as part of any lost wages. Calculating the Wage Component of a Workers’ Comp Claim It might be impossible to return to work after a serious accident. Sometimes, an injury may not prevent a return to work, but the same job may be impossible for a while. That being said, it is still possible to stay above water while recovering. A successful workers’ compensation claim can ensure that a timber worker’s family can still pay the bills and buy groceries even if the breadwinner is in the hospital or recovering at home. Most states specify the proportion that should be paid in compensation. This is usually about two thirds of the likely wages or salary that would have been earned in the period of absence. Timber workers’ earnings vary quite a bit because there are a variety of different jobs within the same industry. That being said, the average earnings across the U.S. are $19 an hour and just short of $40,000 a year for a full-time worker. Calculating Disability Benefits for Injured Timber Workers Timber workers can be injured in many different ways. The fact that their work is often in remote locations that emergency services may find it difficult to access makes any injuries they suffer even more serious. The range of injuries that are specific to timber workers include: Impact from falling branches and trees Lower back injuries/pain from heavy lifting Saw and axe injuries Tractor and skidder accidents Repetitive strain injuries Slips, trips and falls Fractures, sprains, strains, lacerations, and contusions Depending on the nature of the work-related injury, the timber worker may be able to return to work after a brief or long period of recovery. However, a more serious injury may mean that the timber worker will never return to work. Workers’ compensation claims recognize different categories of disability, and benefits are paid accordingly. Temporary partial disability is when a worker is able to work but not at the same exact job; Temporary total disability is when a worker stays away from work recovering or receiving medical treatment for a relatively short time; Permanent partial disability is when the worker returns to work eventually but may never be able to do exactly the same job because of a permanent injury; Permanent total disability is when the injured worker cannot return to the same job at all because of the severity of the injury. Evidence Can be Useful When Filing Your Claim Workers’ comp claims are not always straightforward. Employers may be uncooperative, even if they are required to have insurance for injuries at work. Insurers never like to have to pay out compensation if they don’t have to. The result is that it may seem as if it is an uphill battle filing a workers’ comp claim if you are an injured logger. One way to help your claim is to make sure that you have every bit of useful evidence you can get your hands on. That includes reliable witnesses who can vouch for your account of an accident that happened while at work. Work colleagues are almost always around when you are on a logging project and their testimony can clinch a claim when it comes to proving that your injury or injuries were genuine. Don’t forget all those medical documents that you may get copies of when treated in a medical center or hospital. That should include all invoices and receipts for injury-related treatment. How an Attorney Can Help You Make a Successful Claim If you are struggling with your workers’ compensation claim, it may be time to see a workers’ comp attorney. The attorney will explain the law as it applies to workers’ injuries and insurance coverage, advise you on your legal options, and negotiate on your behalf if that is what you prefer.
