If you have been injured while working, you should be eligible to receive workers' compensation benefits. Workers' compensation benefits are payable to workers hurt while working regardless of who is to blame for the accident. Most United States employers are required to maintain workers' compensation insurance coverage for their employees, but the laws do vary from state to state. Workers' compensation offers medical benefits, covers a portion of lost wages, and if necessary, the costs of vocational retraining. If you have been injured while using a safety harness, workers' compensation benefits should be able to help you. What is a Safety Harness? A safety harness is a system of restraints or belts that are designed to hold someone in place so they don't fall or suffer injuries. Safety harnesses are used in a variety of professions, particularly in the construction industry and by window washers, roofers, and by people who work with ropes courses, bungee jumping, or ziplines. Safety harnesses are covered by standards that are set forth by the American National Standards Institute when in the U.S. There are different kinds of harnesses designed for different uses. As an example, the full body harness is supposed to help stop the most serious of the free falls while the body belt is designed to restrain a person and either arrest or prevent a fall within three feet of movement. Injuries Suffered While Using a Safety Harness While a safety harness is designed to protect the user and prevent falls, accidents can still happen. Safety harnesses might be used incorrectly or they could be defective, thus letting the worker fall. Serious injuries can result from a fall while using a safety harness. Most of these injuries will require extensive medical care, which will lead to mounting medical bills, and extensive time off work. Here are few examples of the injuries that can be suffered from an accident while using a safety harness: Paralysis Crushed or broken bones Spinal injuries Neck injuries Back injuries Traumatic brain injuries Internal injuries Death Most of these injuries require lengthy hospital stays and even surgical procedures. Lengthy physical rehabilitation and physical therapy will be required. Many times, you will not be able to return to the same line of work or you might be permanently disabled. Employers should train their staff to properly use safety harnesses and provide them with the proper harnesses for the job they are doing. Consult With a Workers' Compensation Attorney If you have suffered an injury while on the job while using a safety harness, you should consult with a workers' compensation attorney before filing a claim for benefits. The workers' compensation claims process can be complicated, and an attorney can help protect your rights and ensure you get the benefits you deserve. Sometimes claims are denied or not paid in their entirety and an attorney can make sure that any problems are promptly addressed. With the help of an attorney, you can get your benefits started or reinstated. Schedule your free initial case evaluation today.
