Jay Trucks and Associates Legal Blog

In Michigan, all employees, whether public or private, are covered by workers’ compensation benefits. However, there are some notable exceptions to this. You are not entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you are employed by:

• Federal government – Employees of the Federal government (military, postal workers, VA hospital employees) are covered by the Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation Act
• Longshoremen who work on or along navigable waterways – Covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
• Seamen and sailors on navigable waterways – Covered by the Merchant Marine Act
• Coal mining company – Coal miners suffering from black lung disease are covered by the Black Lung Benefits Act
• Self-employed – Owners of businesses must provide for their employees, but are not covered themselves

This is just a sampling of those who are not covered. However, most people will be able to take part in workers’ compensation benefits. If you are unable to tell if you should be covered, or if your employer or insurance company has denied your claim, please contact the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Jay Trucks & Associates, PC.

Even if you have a job with the potential for serious injury, you still have the right to a safe work environment. This is why there are laws in place to help protect you if you are injured on the job. For most people, this means that you are covered by workers’ compensation insurance provided by your employer. However, knowing if you need to file a claim, as well as how to file it, may not be completely straightforward.

In order to get any assistance, you need to take the following steps:

• Notify your supervisor or employer as soon as possible about your injury, or as soon as you have become aware that you have become ill as the result of your work environment. You normally have 30 days to do this in order to avoid having any benefits denied.
• If you need emergency medical treatment, this should be provided by your employer. If they do not, you may request medical treatment.

• Ask your employer for an injury claim report form to fill out.
• At your earliest convenience, follow up with your employer to make sure that all workers’ compensation paperwork has been filled out and filed correctly.
• Ask that you are given copies of all pertinent documents for your own records.
• Before you provide anyone, including your employer, with a recorded statement of the injury, speak with an experienced workers’ comp attorney.
• Follow all instructions you are given by your healthcare provider or physician to the letter.
• Be sure to attend any meetings or hearings regarding your injury.

If you are unclear as to whether your injury is covered by workers’ compensation, or your coverage has been denied by your employer or insurance company, you must speak with a qualified workers’ compensation attorney.

Please contact Jay Trucks & Associates, PC if you have been injured on the job in the Flint, Lansing, Saginaw, or Traverse City, Michigan area.