A Work-related accident includes any personal injury, harm, or condition that you experience during work or directly related to your responsibilities while on the job. To understand the complexities of a workplace-related accident, it’s important to know the difference between what counts as a “work environment,” or “work responsibility,” and what doesn’t.
Defining Work Environment
An injury or harm that happens at home on your personal time can’t be included as a workplace injury. Why not? Because it didn’t happen at work or doing work-related responsibilities. The second part of that sentence also, however, indicates that if your work duties include work from home, or remote work (work out of the office), then you could possibly experience a work-related injury at home.
This distiniction is important as many jobs include work that happens outside a typical physical office, but could still be included in a workplace-related accident. For instance, it’s possible that an injury at a home could be considered a workplace injury if your business provides a service to residential homes. OSHA would consider those other locations where employees are working as part of their job responsibilities, meaning your employer is responsible for your physical well being while on those job site.
To further the point, any tasks done on behalf of your employer, regardless of physical location, could be considered a workplace injury, with your employer being held liable. This could be a business conference, social events sponsored by the employer, and similar functions.
Kinds of Injuries
Not all injuries are the same, and many can not only cause physical pain to the individual, but can also impact job performance and quality of life.
Common physical on-the-job accidents include damage to the:
- Arms or legs
- Muscles or tendons
- Hands, wrists, and fingers
- Feet and ankles,
- Head, neck, and face
- And more
These sorts of body parts could be affected by bruising, tears, punctures, and more. They could be caused by lifting heavy objects routinely, repetitive movements, and any other activity that an individual’s body is required to do on behalf of the job.
What to Do if You Believe You Have a Workplace Injury Claim
If you believe you have a case against your employer for harm, physical or mental, because of injuries sustained carrying out your workplace duties, consult an experienced attorney or law firm immediately. Many employers will attempt to get you to admit fault, or otherwise let them off the hook for an injury they are responsible for.
Contact Taylor Pharr Law and our attorneys for help with your workplace injury claim. Our experienced team of attorneys and paralegals can make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.