Worker's Compensation Study
After the 2008 recession, many companies have begun hiring temporary employees to work their warehouses, construction sites and factories. 2.8 million people now work for the temp industry, but there’s a cost. A study of workers’ compensation claims shows that in five states there’s a much higher risk of temp employees getting hurt on the job than permanent. Temp employees are more likely to find jobs nationwide that are more dangerous, such as manufacturing, which increases the risk of injury. According to OSHA files and interviews, the risk for severe injury was particularly high in the same situations which occurred when untrained workers performed blue collar work.
Blue collar temp jobs are too lightly regulated, and workers are often put on jobs that are too dangerous for someone with little to no training. And when they get injured, the company isn’t required to pay the medical bills and fights with the temp agency over who the responsible party is, which can hold up medical care. Temp agencies can subvert the workers’ comp system, which was designed to prompt companies to better protect their workers, since those with high injury rates pay higher premiums. Companies that hire temp workers are shielded from these costs.
Getting injured on the job is a serious situation. The employee could be out wages, paying high medical bills and lose time off of work while dealing with serious injuries. Protection for the employee is key as insurance companies and employers may have lengthy procedures that can stall medical care, benefits, or money coming to the employee.
Workers’ compensation from getting injured on the job can help pay for some or all medical bills as well as award some type of damages to the person who was injured. Filing a workers’ compensation or injury suit can help the injured party to recoup some of the damages they are owed in a more timely manner.
