However, what cannot be denied is also the inherent capitalism in Americans which has led to exploitation of the workers to a large extent. Obviously, we cannot generalize and say that all employers are exploitative and take advantage of the workers. But what we attempt to do here is take a good look at the policy of worker's compensation from the employee's point of view.
Proliferation of Dangerous Occupations
Urbanization, increase in per capita income obviously boosts the economy but along with it also brings an onslaught of employment generating but highly dangerous occupations. The massive construction industry, the oil and gas industry are the most distinct example of this phenomenon.
The transportation industry is another example where workers tend to get overworked due to the nature of the work. Accidents of completely exhausted workers behind the wheels have given us chills in many death and injury cases in the recent past. Mining is another such dangerous profession where workers are constantly exposing themselves to harmful chemicals and working extremely long hours. Tuberculosis, bronchitis, lung cancer and silicosis are just the most prominent diseases to have striked miners repeatedly.
Under such conditions it is only but fair to expect proper wages for the workers that take into account the dangers they are facing each day. Worker's compensation obviously holds a lot of importance for workers in these industries as they know the risks they are exposing themselves to every single day. They do expect the employers to take care of their safety. They need a cushion to break their fall. This cushion is nothing but worker's compensation. Workers place their trust on worker's compensation that if an injury or accident does take place they have the worker's compensation coverage.
Worker's Compensation for the So Called Safe Occupations
The Scaffold Bill controversy over worker's compensation does reveal the pinch the employers are feeling in dishing out worker's compensation claims. However, worker's compensation is not just a requirement for just the occupations considered unsafe. They are as much a need for the so called safe professions as well. The first industry that comes to my mind when I say this is health care. A report by Public Citizen's Congress Watch says that 45 percent of all incidents of workplace violence that leads to loss of workdays occur in the health care industry. That hospital is not exactly a merry place to go to is known by all. You are on medicines, your organs are being cut, replaced; you are bound to be angry and frustrated. A little push and you take out all your temper on the medical attendant or nurse.
The instance of workplace violence increases manifold for health care professionals when they are dealing with psychiatric patients or patients with an inherent streak of violence in them.
Besides that, they stand at risk of contracting various infections, diseases, etc. as they are constantly in touch with infected patients. Long durations of work and staying awake at odd hours also risk the healthcare professionals to various other lifestyle disorders including cardiac attacks and cardiac arrest.
Worker's compensation will be of utmost importance then to these professionals and functions like their safety net.
Taking Care of the Service Providers
Now who does not relish a delicious meal? The hospitality industry has grown in leaps and bounds in the past years. And along with it has grown the strength of the personnel. When the immaculate dish appears before you and you enjoy the taste of each ingredient, do we think and pause about the effort that goes into it? There are people working with knives, food slicers, burners continuously while meeting deadlines. They are surrounded by all sorts of hazardous objects and may incur an injury anytime.
Housekeeping is another arena of hospitality where a large number of work related injuries take place. One of the reasons why so many injuries take place in this sector is because of insufficient training. Young, new staff are introduced to the job immediately without proper training, as a result of which malfunctions in operating machines etc. occur and cause injuries. To retain workers and keep them content, worker's compensation is a necessity here more than a privilege or comfort.
Worker's Compensation for The Senior Worker
Inspite of the surge of young professionals in the American workforce, the baby boomers still dominate the workforce. In dangerous and labor intensive professions, it can be assumed that they will be more vulnerable to injuries than the younger work force. However, this is the tried and tested work force with the experience and expertise. Them being part of the workforce is beneficial for the organization as they can also train the new employees. On the other hand, the body ages as we age and so the injuries that they experience are bound to take longer to heal. Their medication and treatment is likely to be more expensive. Receiving proper worker's compensation claims helps them in not just receiving the appropriate medical attention but also in getting back to work. In case they suffer from a permanent disability or paralysis due to injury at workplace, worker's compensation claim must cover their medical costs, lost wages as well as compensate for all the pain and anguish undergone.
To Conclude
Every worker has the right to worker's compensation and must receive the fair and just amount during times of need and emergency when it is claimed. As a worker stand up for your rights and take help from an experienced worker's compensation attorney if your just claims are denied or delayed.
