Foot and ankle injuries in the workplace are common and can greatly impede an employee's ability to work. According to numbers from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), 93,610 foot injuries and 99,690 ankle injuries resulted in absences from work from 2021 to 2022.
Depending on the severity of the injury, an employee may have to take time off work or find themselves unable to return to their duties due to permanent disability, chronic pain or the need for ongoing medical treatment. Fortunately, the workers’ compensation scheme provides medical and financial benefits to eligible workers who have sustained injuries in the workplace.
If you have suffered a foot and ankle injury at work and would like to file a workers’ compensation claim, this article will shed light on your rights and the benefits available, enabling you to put your best foot forward.
Common Foot and Ankle Injuries
From slips and trips and falling objects to overexertion and strain, there are several ways workers can injure their feet and ankles, depending on the nature of their job and the environment they work in. Some of the most common types of foot and ankle work injuries include:
- Fractures
- Puncture wounds
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tendonitis
- Crush injuries
The results of an injury like this can be severe and greatly impact a worker’s ability to perform their duties. As long as the injury arose out of and occurred in the course of their employment, a worker can file a workers’ compensation claim to receive benefits.
How to File a Claim
While the workers’ compensation scheme is a no-fault system, meaning you do not have to prove your employer was at fault for your injury, you must still meet certain requirements to receive benefits.
Each state specifies certain time requirements for reporting an injury to an employer and filing a claim. To ensure you do not forfeit your rights under the scheme it is important to be aware of these timeframes and adhere to them. In many states, an employee will have 30 to report their injury to their employer, however, this timeframe may vary depending on the state’s laws. Some states may stipulate a shorter timescale for reporting an injury while others may allow more time.
Similarly, each state will impose a specific deadline for filing a workers’ compensation claim according to their statute of limitations. This will typically range from one to three years from the date of the injury. So, while you may only have 30 days to inform your employer of your injury, you may have three years to file your claim.
Types of Benefits
By adhering to the specific timescales mentioned above, you are more likely to succeed in your claim. Depending on the nature and severity of your injury, you could be entitled to the following benefits:
- Wage replacement
- Medical expenses
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Permanent or temporary disability benefits
The amount and type of benefits a worker may receive may also vary depending on the laws applicable in their state.
By reporting your injury and filing your claim in time, you can greatly increase the chances of securing the benefits you are entitled to under the workers’ compensation system.
