Teachers And Workers Compensation: Protect Yourself

Posted on: 16 January 2023

Teachers are the cornerstone of the education system. Their efforts enrich the lives of children and help make them fruitful and prosperous citizens. However, their remarkable efforts sometimes result in on-the-job injuries. While injuries are not commonly associated with teaching, the reality is that they can occur. In the event of an injury, all teachers must know what to do.

Document Incident

No matter the specifics surrounding the injury, you must document the damage. What the documentation process looks like will vary based on where you work. However, this often involves contacting your immediate supervisor to notify them of your injuries and your intent to seek medical treatment. Sometimes, it is also a good idea to contact your HR representative to inform them of the same information. Typically, there is a window in which injuries must be documented, so be sure to relay the information right away. 

Assess Process

Determine what the process is for the school you work at. For example, the process between public and private schools is quite different. Typically, public school educators fall under the realm of county or city employees. As such, their workers' compensation might fall under a state fund. On the other hand, private schools often have private workers' compensation insurance policies that cover their staff. The source of the workers' compensation will determine the route necessary to file a claim. It is generally helpful to have the assistance of an attorney for this step.

Continue Medical Treatment

Unfortunately, being awarded a workers' compensation claim is not an overnight process. Educators could wait weeks or even months to get an update on their claims. In the meantime, you must continue to undergo any prescribed medical treatment, such as physical therapy. If you fail to continue the treatment, your claim could automatically be denied. Also, only by continuing with treatment can you get better. 

Notate Special Factors

It is important to note that there are often unique circumstances surrounding teacher compensation claims in that not every claim must be based on a typical injury. For example, teachers have a right to file a claim for stress-related concerns caused by their work, and sadly, if a student at the school injures them, teachers can also file a claim. Again, having an attorney guide you for these unique scenarios is best. 

If you have been injured on the job as an educator, it is important that you have a workers compensation attorney assess your situation to help you determine what you need to do next. 

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