You Have Rights: 3 Things You Need To Know About Worker's Compensation

If you've just entered the workforce, there are probably a lot of things you don't know about your rights as an employee. When it comes to worker's compensation, the sooner you understand your rights, the better. You never know when you're going to suffer a work-related injury. If you don't know your rights, you might not know that you're missing out on valuable benefits. To help you understand your worker's compensation rights, here are three important things you should know.

Your injuries Are Covered Even If You Were Careless

If you're injured on the job, you're covered under worker's compensation—even if you were acting carelessly at the time of the accident. That's important to note because some employers will try to tell you that you're not entitled to worker's compensation if the accident was partly your fault. If you're injured on the job, and your employer refuses to provide medical care because you were acting carelessly at the time of the accident, you'll need to speak to an attorney.

You Don't Have to Be at Work to Be Covered

If you think that injuries have to occur at work in order for them to be covered, you're incorrect. While the injuries do have to be work-related, they do not have to occur at work. If you're out attending to business for your employer at the time of your accident, you're covered under their worker's compensation insurance. This is important information to know, especially if you're going to be making deliveries or working outside of the office on a regular basis.

You Can Go to The Emergency Room

If you're injured on the job, and your employer refuses to give you the information you'll need to seek medical care, you can go to the emergency room on your own. When you sign in, let them know that your injuries are work-related. While you're filling out the paperwork, they'll have you provide information regarding your employer, including the following information.

• Name of employer
• Work address and phone number of your work site
• Type of duties you were performing when the injuries occurred

Now that you have your first job, make sure you know what your rights are. If you're injured on the job, be sure to report the incident to your employer as soon as possible. For help receiving the benefits you're entitled to, be sure to speak to a worker's compensation attorney.