Employees often have good working relationships with their employers. But, that doesn’t mean that an employer will have the employee’s best interests at heart if the employee gets hurt at work.
Employers should pay for workers’ compensation coverage, so the cost of medical care that an injured employee needs doesn’t come out of the employer’s pocket. Despite coverage being available, however, employers will usually try to minimize the benefits that a hurt or ill employee receives.
Employer’s conflict of interest
When an employee is injured on the job, the primary concern for many employers is often the financial implications rather than the employee’s full recovery. Employers may face increased insurance premiums or may be concerned about the productivity losses associated with workplace injuries. This can create a conflict of interest because the employer’s goal is to minimize costs and liabilities rather than ensuring the employee receives the best possible care and adequate time for recovery.
Employer pressure to return to work
Employees may face pressure from their employers to return to work before they are medically ready. This is often driven by the desire to maintain productivity levels and reduce the perceived burden of the injury on the company’s operations. Employers can push for this in a variety of ways, but some of those, such as retaliation, are illegal.
Minimal benefits for employees
Some workers might not receive the full workers’ compensation benefits they are entitled to or might be discouraged from filing a claim in the first place. Additionally, the compensation offered might not fully cover the medical expenses or lost wages, especially if the injury leads to long-term disability.
Legal representation and advocacy
Injured workers often need independent legal representation to truly protect their interests. Because workers’ compensation companies and employers may try to minimize the benefits a worker receives when they’re injured, a worker may have to fight for what they’re due. When they have legal assistance, they can have that representative handle their case while they focus on healing.
