The nature of their jobs often requires mechanics to work in difficult to reach and inconvenient locations. Also, they are often under time pressures to get machines back up and running. These things prevent them from being as safe as possible and can lead to injuries.
Fortunately, workers compensation provides coverage for mechanics when they suffer work-related injuries. While this knowledge provides some measure of relief, it is not enough to just be covered by workers compensation. For mechanics to receive the medical treatment and other benefits they should after a serious injury, they will need to fully understand the rules of workers compensation or have an attorney on their side who does.
What common types of work-related injuries do mechanics and technicians suffer?
The types of injuries that mechanics suffer depends a lot on the following factors
The specific type of work they do
What tools they use
The machines or vehicles they work on
Injuries from physical stress
Many mechanics work on vehicles such as aircraft, diesel equipment, or passenger vehicles. A lot of this work involves heavy lifting and carrying as well as using tools to apply a lot of pressure to engine and vehicle parts.
The physical stress created by this work can cause strains, sprains, and tears. While a strain or sprain may heal up relatively quickly, this stress often causes more serious injuries to the back and shoulders.
Mechanics commonly work with flammable and dangerous chemicals. Serious burn injuries need to be treated very carefully.
Slipping or tripping
This is one of the biggest dangers that mechanics and technicians face. They face hazards everyday when they walk from place to place. Some common trip hazards include:
Slick floors from oil or other fluids
Vehicle parts or tools left on the floor
Uneven flooring and cracks
Slipping or tripping at work can unfortunately cause all kinds of serious injuries. Often, these accidents result in knee and ankle injuries, but they can often cause back, arm, and head injuries as well.
Can workers compensation deny a mechanic’s work-related injury?
Yes. Your employer or their workers compensation insurance company may try to deny coverage for your injury. Although covering your injury would be the right thing to do, it is important to remember that you are dealing with for profit businesses who are seeking to make a profit.
Because your workers compensation case will cost them money, they may deny your claim in the hopes that it will save them money. Some of the common reasons that insurance companies use to deny claims are:
You may worry that a denial means that you cannot receive workers compensation benefits. It does not necessarily mean that. But, it does mean that you will likely have to get help to receive the benefits you should. Workers compensation attorneys can often sort out denials like those mentioned above and others to make sure you receive the benefits you should after an injury.
What benefits do mechanics receive when workers compensation covers their injury?
Georgia’s workers compensation law provide three main types of benefits to mechanics after an injury.
Wage loss benefits
The first type of benefit is wage loss benefits. These benefits are paid weekly when your injury causes you to lose earnings. They fall into two types – temporary total disability and temporary partial disability.
The third benefits is permanent partial disability benefits. These benefits only get paid if you have a permanent loss of function as a result of an injury.
What happens when a mechanic has permanent light duty restrictions?
Some of the serious injuries that mechanics suffer can result in permanent restrictions or limitations. Since mechanic work is very physically demanding, any sort of limitations can make it difficult or impossible to return to that type of work.
If you end up with permanent restrictions or limitations that prevent you from returning to work, the workers compensation insurance company should have to continue paying you weekly benefits for being out of work. But, there are limits on how long you can receive these benefits.
In this situation, settlement is an option that many people explore. Settlement can provide a lump sum payment in exchange for giving up your future workers compensation rights.
Will the insurance company voluntarily pay all the workers compensation benefits they should pay?
The insurance company will probably not voluntarily pay everything they should. Why not? As I mentioned earlier, insurance companies are generally for profit businesses. Paying you workers compensation benefits costs them money, so they will usually try to pay as little as possible.
This means that you are probably going to have to fight to get the benefits you should receive. This comes up with medical benefits when the insurance company refuses to authorize you to see the doctor you want or refuses to approve the treatment your doctor recommends. It also comes up with your wage loss benefits when the insurance company tries to push the doctor to say you can go back to work before you are ready.
Making sure they do not take advantage of you is important. The insurance company’s responsibility under the workers compensation system is to pay for the medical treatment you need and compensate you for the time you cannot work. To make sure they do this, you need to fully understand the Georgia workers compensation system or have an attorney on your side who does.
What if I have other questions about workers compensation?
Georgia’s workers compensation system can be very confusing. You have to worry about getting the treatment you need and paying your bills while also worrying about not missing any deadlines that could cause you to lose your right to receive workers compensation benefits.
If you have questions, I would recommend that you try to get answers. To find out more about how to schedule a time to talk to me about your workers compensation questions, just read this short article.
Jason Perkins is an attorney who specializes in representing injured workers. He regularly publishes videos and write blog articles about Georgia’s workers compensation system and issues that are important to injured workers and their families.
To be notified of Jason’s new workers compensation videos, subscribe to his Georgia Workers Compensation Video Series channel on YouTube by clicking the subscribe button below.
Navigating Georgia’s workers’ compensation system can be a daunting task, leaving you with numerous questions and uncertainties. If you find yourself in this situation, we strongly encourage you to seek clarification and find the answers you need. Perkins Studdard is here to help you through this process and provide the support you deserve.