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Why Blue-Collar Workers Do Not Always Get A Fair Deal

On Behalf of | Apr 1, 2021 | Workplace Injuries |

The region of Southwestern New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania is home to some tough jobs. Hospitals, factories: If you work in places like that, there is a good chance that you could get an injury.

The Workers’ Compensation system is probably there for you, but it is not always as simple as it seems. While you do not necessarily need an attorney and you cannot usually sue your employer for your injury, you might have to fight to get what you deserve.

The problem with blue-collar injuries

Some jobs are just more dangerous. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states what we already know about one high-risk skilled labor position, registered nursing: There is a higher chance of sustaining musculoskeletal disorders.

The fact that we have all these statistics is good. It helps your employers understand where they need to implement more safety measures. However, the preponderance of data also sometimes leads to insurance-healthcare relationships that seek to minimize the cost of your treatment if you have a very common injury.

In other words, insurance companies tend to partner with employers and hospitals to minimize the cost of your care and, therefore, the cost of insurance policies. Everybody wins in that situation — except you.

Getting access to the care you need

The problem with the Workers’ Compensation system is that it can feel like you do not have options. However, you could be able to negotiate, especially if you secure outside medical opinions.

It is usually more than simply asking for the treatment you want. Most insurance companies are highly bureaucratic, as is the Workers’ Compensation legal process. You probably need to follow proper procedure to get what you deserve.

Insurance companies are not all bad — they also often work with corporations to minimize the risk you have of injury. However, you should have access to the care you need, not just the care that is most efficient for your employer’s insurance company.