Single Parents, Workplace Injury and Workers’ Comp

When you’re raising a child as a single parent, things are going to be challenging. Besides time, care, and love for your kid, you will probably have to work harder and longer than other people. This can put so much pressure on you as you’re trying to manage both the family and professional life, and be able to pay the bills and put food on the table. But what happens if you get injured at work and are forced to stay off of work while you’re recovering. These unforeseen accidents can change many things and affect not only the budget but your health and life as well.

If you were injured at your workplace and you’re a single parent who is struggling to make ends meet, you shouldn’t think twice before consulting with an Atlanta workers’ compensation attorney. Although as a worker you have the right to seek these benefits, the settlement alone might not be enough for you as a single mom or dad to make ends meet. Here’s what you need to know about this thing.

Workers’ Compensation Law 

The Workers’ Compensation Act refers to the responsibility of the employer to grant immediate medical and disability benefits for injuries sustained on the job that results in partial or total incapacity or death. This way the employer is protected from tort liability for these injuries.

Every employer no matter if it’s an individual, firm, or corporation that has employed more than three persons on a regular basis (part-time or full-time) is obliged to provide workers’ compensation benefits. The company shouldn’t reduce the number of employees for this purpose. The worker (including minors) who works full-time or part-time under a contract of hire, is the person who gets these benefits in case of an injury at work.

Financial Compensation Options for Single Parents

Dealing with and managing finances, caring for your child, and dealing with your employer while you’re recovering from a workplace injury, can make things very difficult. This situation may be nerve-wracking and hopeless, but not everything is lost. As an injured worker, you have the option of financial compensation and job security. As a parent, you may have even more options compared to your coworkers who have no kids.

• Workers’ compensation – If your company has workers’ compensation insurance, you should be able to get the benefits (after following the rules of the system). Your claim will supply income benefits and medical benefits. The income benefits replace your lost wages while you’re recovering from your workplace injury. The medical benefits will cover all medical expenses you had after the injuries (medical bills, surgeries, medicine, doctor appointments, etc.).
• Workplace injury lawsuits – A company that does not have workers’ compensation insurance is facing a risk of going to court. You as an injured worker can take your employer to court so they can provide medical care and lost wages benefits.
• Paid time off – In addition to workers’ compensation, you also have the option to use your employer-provided paid time off as an addition to the benefits. Workers’ compensation benefits only cover a part of your lost wages. It may be a challenge to use PTO since you must be able to track how much you need, how much is used on an hourly rate, and if your employer is willing to supplement these paid time off along with the workers’ compensation benefits. Keep in mind that some employers have not established a PTO program for workers.

How to Apply for Workers’ Compensation

Although many people don’t have problems applying for workers’ compensation, the whole procedure may be tricky. This is because you as a worker aren’t allowed to sue your employer after your injury or occupational illness. This is why you should contact a workers compensation attorney who has experience with such cases and will easily guide you into the process.

In case your employer lacks this insurance, things may become even more complex and you shouldn’t just let things go. AS a single parent every dollar is important for you. Your injury may prevent you from working in the near future (or forever) and in that case, your attorney will do their best to get you a claim that will help you move on with your life at least for a little while.

For any question you have, our team at Workers’ Compensation Attorneys will give you an answer. We’re here to help you with your case; call us today.