You may belong to a group that is not covered by workers’ compensation. These include business owners, volunteers, independent contractors, and federal employees (who can apply to other federal programs for compensation). People employed as a full-time worker usually have workers’ comp coverage, but eligibility can vary.
Business Owners
There are some states in which business owners, sole proprietors, and business partners may seek out workers’ compensation after a workplace accident. However, because these individuals are considered owners instead of employees, they often fail to fall under the category of “workers” and subsequently may have requests for workers’ compensation denied.
Volunteers
If a volunteer does not receive payment for his or her services – except for payment in the form of food, transportation, or lodging – he or she is usually not covered by workers’ compensation for injuries incurred in the workplace.
Some institutions, including many fire stations, allow their volunteers to have access to workers’ compensation. If you are not sure what the organization you volunteer for offers, you can reach out to a company representative to determine whether or not you have that kind of coverage available to you.
Independent Contractors
Independent contractors, while affiliated with certain companies, do not legally fall under the category of “employees.” As such, an independent contractor injured while working for an organization, business, or corporation must face the consequences of a workplace accident on their own.
You can, however, check with the company to determine how you were classified prior to an injury and whether or not your employer attempted to change your status after the injury takes place.
Federal Employees
Federal employees, such as postal workers, receive an equivalent to workers’ compensation through the Federal Employee’s Compensation Act. This act, which allows the qualified individuals to sue should they suffer from industrial accidents or occupational diseases, works outside of state legislation. Furthermore, should you have any problem seeking out compensation through these means, you can reach out to a workers’ compensation lawyer who can help you determine if you have a case.
Railroad Employees
Railroad employees do not usually receive workers’ compensation through the state for which they work. Instead, the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) (45 U.S.C.§51) can provide these employees with the ability to seek compensation should they suffer from accidents while on a worksite. This way, railroad employees can seek awards not only for lost wages but also for non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, if applicable.
Longshoremen
Longshoremen – otherwise known as dockworkers – receive compensation for work-related injuries and occupational illnesses under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. If you find yourself having difficulty securing such coverage, you can reach out to a workers’ compensation lawyer to determine what may be making receiving compensation difficult.
If you are not sure what your status is or whether you can file a workers’ compensation claim after a workplace accident, you can reach out to a workers’ compensation lawyer. Together, you can determine whether or not you are eligible for a claim and, if not, what legal recourse you may have.
A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer with Ben Crump Law, PLLC Can Help You Determine if You Are Eligible for Workers’ Compensation
If you fall under the category of an individual who is not covered by workers’ compensation, but you still find yourself injured in a workplace accident, you can take legal action to fight for a settlement. A workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand where you stand in terms of your legal reach. A workers’ compensation lawyer can help calculate what compensation you may be entitled to and build a case for you.
To break down the details of your potential workers’ compensation case, you can reach out to the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC. There are no fees unless you receive compensation from your employer or a court of law, as the firm works on a contingency basis.
Our lawyers can examine the details of your case and work to find arguments that support your claim to workers’ compensation. Even if you are worried that other circumstances can hurt your ability to seek benefits, you can call our office to discuss these details. To get started with our team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, call (800) 603-4224.
