There are some scenarios wherein workers’ compensation benefits are obviously available. For example, maybe a shelf at a retail establishment collapsed, dropping items onto a worker. They could easily connect their injuries to a workplace incident and pursue benefits through the Georgia workers’ compensation program.
Other situations may be less clear. Scenarios in which there is an outside party to blame for an incident can leave people uncertain about whether workers’ compensation applies. They may worry that they have to take action against that third party instead of applying for workers’ compensation benefits.
A violent incident in the workplace is clearly the fault of the co-worker or member of the public who became aggressive. Whether a worker gets hurt in a robbery gone wrong or an altercation with an intoxicated co-worker, they may feel confused about their rights.
Does Georgia workers’ compensation cover incidents involving violence in the workplace?
Victims of violence on the job may qualify for benefits
What many people fail to understand about workers’ compensation is that fault is not an important factor when seeking benefits. It doesn’t matter if the employee may have accidentally contributed to their own injury or the employer was negligent in some way. Neither the business providing the coverage nor the worker making the claim has to prove who was at fault.
That is as true in a scenario where an outside party is to blame as it is when the worker or the business is at fault. Any on-the-job incident that leads to injury or illness can potentially qualify affected workers for workers’ compensation benefits.
An employee injured in a violent attack in the workplace may be able to obtain medical coverage for their treatment costs. They could also qualify for disability benefits if they require a leave of absence while they recover. If injuries force someone to change their career because of permanent symptoms, they may be eligible for partial disability benefits to help reduce the change in their earning potential.
Getting help can be a smart move for those facing a complex and high-cost workers’ compensation claim. Job injuries related to violence can be very costly and may require an assortment of benefits, making outside support invaluable for an injured employee.