All work-related injuries are covered by workers’ compensation. If you are 1) an employee, 2) suffer from an injury during the course and scope of your employment, or 3) unable to work because of that injury, then you should be covered.
If you are an independent contractor as opposed to an employee, you are not entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, it is important to determine your true position. If you are subject to the control of your employer in terms of the means and methods in which you perform your work you would probably be considered an employee and therefore eligible for workers’ compensation. This is the case even if your employer calls you an independent contractor and does not take taxes out of your paycheck.
Workers’ compensation insurance may provide coverage for:
- An injury suffered on the property of your employer. This includes repeititve stress injuries. Regardless of how the injury occurred or who was at fault, workers’ compensation may cover it.
- An illness caused by some kind of job exposure, such as noise exposure or exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Covered injuries and illnesses can include pre-existing conditions that worsened as a result of work duties. This can happen if your job requirements were the major cause of the disability. Often, illnesses such as heart attacks and strokes are covered by the Workers’ Compensation Act if linked to some physical or emotional stress incurred on the job. This determination could be made regardless of other risk factors such as cigarette smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, family history, or other factors.
