May 1, 2024 | General, Workers' compensation

Every worker, no matter what their profession, is at risk of being injured while on the job. While some work environments present greater danger than others, accidents can occur in any work environment and at any time. It is therefore a relief to know that workers’ compensation benefits are available to injured workers and their families. These benefits are designed to provide injured workers and their loved ones with a financial cushion when faced with the devastating consequences of a workplace accident.

While workers’ compensation is a requirement of the law in Nebraska, it isn’t uncommon that employers and their insurance companies make attempts to save money. They may act in their own best interests and leave injured workers suffering both physically and financially. We at High & Younes, LLC are committed to helping injured workers fight for the benefits they deserve. We will work to see to it that you receive the financial compensation that is rightly yours.

Common Types of Workplace Injuries

Workplace injuries vary in type and severity. They can affect everyone from office workers sitting at a desk all day long to construction workers working on a construction site with a wide variety of hazards. Some common workplace injuries include:

• Burns
• Repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome
• Vision loss
• Hearing loss
• Sprains and strains
• Respiratory diseases
• Hernias
• Joint, tendon and ligament damage
• Broken or fractured bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Back injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Electrocution
• And many more

Benefits Available Through Workers’ Compensation

Injured workers are entitled to various benefits under workers’ compensation laws in Nebraska. The specific types of benefits you are entitled to will depend on various factors such as the type of injury, the severity of your injuries as well as whether your injuries have resulted in permanent or temporary disability. Some of the benefits that injured workers are entitled to under workers’ compensation laws include:

• Lost wages – if the work-related injury or illness has caused you to miss time at work, you will be compensated for a percentage of your income for the period missed. These benefits are broken down into partial disability benefits or total disability benefits depending on the situation.
• Medical bills – You will be compensated for ‘reasonable’ medical expenses related to the injury. These may include hospital bills, prescription medication, prosthetics, wheelchairs, crutches, travel expenses to medical appointments and more.
• Permanent partial loss of member – These benefits are available for injured workers whose injuries include the complete loss or the loss of use of a body part. These benefits are typically two-thirds of the salary of the employee multiplied by a set number. This set number is determined based on the part of the body affected.
• Permanent partial to the body as a whole – employees that have suffered permanent loss or impairment to their whole body are entitled to these benefits. These benefits are two thirds of the wages of the employee multiplied by the percentage of the disability.
• Temporary partial benefits – injured employees that can work but not in the same capacity as they previously did are entitled to these benefits. These benefits are equivalent to two-thirds of the difference between their previous wages and their current wages. These benefits are paid for up to 300 weeks after the injury.
• Vacation rehabilitation – These benefits are given to injured workers to help them retrain for a new job that is more suitable to their current circumstances.
• Death benefits – These benefits are given to the survivors of workers that die as a result of a workplace injury or illness.

Who Can Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Laws require employers in Nebraska to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover all their full-time, part-time, minor and even seasonal temporary workers. However, there are some exceptions to these requirements. Workers not covered by workers’ compensation under Nebraska laws include:

• Domestic servants
• Railroad workers
• Federal employees
• Independent contracts
• Some volunteers
• Self-employed individuals
• workers that own more than 25 percent of the stock of the company in which they work
• executives of nonprofits that earn an annual income of less than $1000

If you do not fall in the categories above, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits when injured on the job. However, you must meet the following requirements in order to receive benefits:

• The injury or illness you have suffered must be a direct result of your employment. It must have occurred while you were on the job.
• The injury or illness you have suffered should not have been caused by your own willful negligence.
• You were injured or became ill while carrying out tasks that are typical of your employer’s trade, business or your profession.
• Your job was primarily based in Nebraska
• Your employer or employment contract is based in Nebraska.

Workers’ Compensation laws and processes can be complex. At High & Younes, LLC, we are experts at handling workers’ compensation claims. We will fight to ensure that you receive the benefits you deserve.

Omaha Workers Comp Lawyers – High & Younes