A broad range of workplace circumstances might lead to someone’s injury on the job in Ohio. A co-worker might make a mistake while operating heavy machinery. There could be an oil spill in a kitchen that leads to a flare-up and serious burn injuries for cooks working a line.
Some kinds of injuries, like head injuries, are serious enough that no one questions whether a worker really needs to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Other times, employers and workers alike may not recognize how valuable workers’ compensation coverage might be for an injured employee.
A broken bone or fracture is a perfect example. People break bones all the time, often when they are children, and they eventually fully recover. However, the likelihood of a full recovery does not automatically preclude someone from needing benefits. There are two very compelling reasons for workers with broken bones to file workers’ compensation claims.
1. Medical expenses can amount to thousands
An x-ray and a cast to set a broken bone may not be prohibitively expensive. However, some fractures will cost far more surgery. A broken leg that leaves someone immobilized for weeks may require physical therapy when the cast comes off again. If someone has a high deductible on their health insurance policy, they might end up paying out of pocket for all of their treatment costs unless they file a workers’ compensation claim.
2. Workers may require time away from their jobs
The more severe the fracture is, the more likely a worker will be to require a lengthy leave of absence from their employment. If someone performs physically intensive work and breaks an arm or a leg, for example, they would likely require at least six to eight weeks away from the job, if not more.
Even if someone has paid time off benefits, it will often be better for them to make a disability benefits claim through workers’ compensation and save their paid time off for an unpredictable illness or any other scenario where they won’t have the opportunity to use other forms of lead.
In some cases, broken bones can actually lead to permanent injuries that will forever affect someone’s daily life. Filing a workers’ compensation claim with the assistance of a legal professional can be a smart move even if someone anticipates being able to get back to work relatively quickly after an injury.