Over the past 50 years, the number of women in the workplace has steadily grown and today, women are 47% of all workers in the United States. Every industry has female employees and frequently, families depend on the salary they make. Unfortunately, just like their male counterparts, women are injured on the job every day, which can financially impact their family.
Occupational Dangers
According to statistics provided by the Bureau of Labor, the following are the most common accidents or exposures which result in injury to a female employee:
Car Accidents
Working in the transportation industry or in a job that places them on the road, such as sales, means that women frequently become the victims of car accidents. The most common injuries sustained are broken bones, spinal damage, and head trauma.
Violent Acts
Sadly, women in every industry are more likely to experience violence. This typically involves a shooting, stabbing, beating, or sexual assault.
Falls
Any fall, whether it be from a great height, down the stairs, or even just from a standing position has the potential to cause serious injury. Falls might occur due to ladder instability, a lack of safety precautions, spilled liquids, or damaged flooring.
Exposure To Toxic Substances
Women in research, nursing, and cleaning jobs are constantly working around toxic substances that can cause both injury and illness. This often includes:
- Glues
- Disinfectants
- Paints
- Pesticides
- Heavy Metals
- Acids / Caustic Substances
If not properly contained or used, any one of these has the potential to cause:
- Skin Irritations
- Burns
- Respiratory Issues
- Nausea / Vomiting
- Nervous System Disorders
- Cancer
Heavy Lifting
You might think that with all of the heavy machinery and technology available, that workers are rarely expected to lift heavy objects or loads but shockingly, lift technology is vastly under utilized. Women, particularly in the nursing industry where patients need to be lifted regularly, often hurt their spine so badly that they are unable to return to their jobs.
Repetitive Motions
Asking the body to do the same things over-and-over again, like typing on a keyboard, working on an assembly line or pushing buttons on a cash register can cause the soft tissues and bone to become worn away and lead to permanent damage.
Any one of these injuries or illnesses can be very costly to treat, even with health insurance. Thankfully, workers’ compensation exists to help keep a woman remain financially stable.
Claims
In order to obtain workers’ compensation coverage, an injured employee must inform their employer of their condition within 120 days. This notification must be in writing. Then, a workers’ compensation claim must be filed.
At first glance, the process of applying for workers’ compensation may seem simple. However, as with any type of insurance claim, adjusters are typically trained to find ways in which they can deny a claim or reduce the amount of money paid out. This results in nearly half of all workers’ compensation claims being denied outright, often simply because of a mistake made on the claim form.
One of the best ways to ensure you get the correct compensation as quickly as possible is to work with a workers’ compensation attorney from the get go. Not only will an attorney answer any questions you may have about the process of filing a claim, they can review your initial form for completion. If you have already been issued a denial or feel that the amount you have been given is not correct, an attorney can help with that as well.
What If My Loved One’s Injuries Caused Their Death?
Workers’ compensation insurance does offer benefits to those who have been left behind after an employee dies as a direct result of the injuries or illnesses they obtained from their job.
Typically, only spouses, children, or family members who lived with the deceased and were dependent on their income are able to file a claim. The benefits that can be obtained include funeral and burial expenses and two-thirds of the weekly wage that would have been earned by the deceased for a set period of time.
Other Ways Compensation May Be Obtained
Once an attorney has reviewed their case, it is likely that they will be able to identify other ways through which an injured worker or their loved ones may be able to obtain compensation. The two most common ways are by filing for social security disability benefits or filing a personal injury claim.
