When it comes to workers’ compensation, truck drivers who are injured are in a unique situation in Colorado, depending on their employment status with a company. Many trucking companies hire drivers as independent contractors as opposed to regular full-time employees in an effort to save costs. There are many liabilities with having truck drivers as employees, so technically, an independent contractor would not qualify for workers’ compensation. Instead, under 2018 legislation, independent contractor truck drivers in Colorado qualify under occupational accident coverage for vehicles weighing more than 16,001 pounds. This coverage must be comparable to the employer’s workers’ compensation benefits. 

Types of Truck Accidents

Every type of job has the potential for a person to get injured while performing their occupational duties. Truck drivers are different than office workers due to the amount of time they spend on the road for their jobs. While truck drivers are subject to common workers’ compensation claims, such as slips and falls, they can also be involved in accidents specific to trucking. The following are accidents that a truck driver may face while on the job: 

People work in order to support themselves and their families. That is why if you are hurt and cannot perform your job, there is a cause for concern. The good news is, if you are injured while at work, you may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits to compensate you for your lost wages and medical bills. If you were hurt at work, you may wonder if you are entitled to benefits, depending on the type of injury. You may also not know how to initiate the process. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions by those who are considering filing for workers' compensation.   

What Is Workers’ Compensation? 

Most employers throughout the United States are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance that provides coverage in the unfortunate event an employee gets hurt while at work. In these cases, workers' compensation insurance will pay for the full costs of any necessary medical treatment. If an employee cannot return to work due to an injury he or she sustained while on the job, then workers’ comp will pay a percentage of his or her lost wages. In Colorado, some classes of employees, such as real estate agents and federal employees, are not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. 

A head injury can be one of the most dangerous and life-altering situations a person can face on the job. In regard to the workplace, most head injuries are the result of a fall. It is more common for physical laborers, such as construction workers, to suffer a fall as a result of working conditions, but it is possible for an office worker to fall and receive a head injury, too. Regardless of the circumstances, a traumatic brain injury can be devastating. If you sustain head trauma at work, you may be entitled to benefits for medical expenses or lost wages. 

Symptoms of Head Injuries

After falling and hitting your head, it is recommended you seek medical attention immediately. This is especially important to ensure that you receive workers’ compensation. A doctor will be able to verify the severity of your injury to report to your employer and workers’ compensation representative. This will allow you to be eligible for benefits such as compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. Head injuries are also not always apparent right after a fall or accident. If the following symptoms appear after you fall, be sure to visit a doctor:

Workers’ compensation claims involve many types of workplace injuries, including falls and motor vehicle collisions. Some of the most traumatizing work injuries come in the form of severe burns. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 486,000 Americans were hospitalized due to serious burns in 2016, and here in the state of Colorado, burn injuries are not uncommon for workers in the construction and oil and gas industries. If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury while at work, it is time to seek experienced legal representation to ensure your rights are protected.

According to studies conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 2.8 million American workers were injured on the job in 2017. For employees in the oil and gas industry, injury risks are constantly present. From working on oil rigs to transferring hazardous materials, fossil fuel workers are among the most commonly injured in the U.S. Unfortunately, many oil and gas companies aggressively fight against compensation for employees who suffer on-the-job injuries.

Common Oil and Gas Industry Injuries 

Working in the oil and gas industry comes with greater risks than most occupations. From oil rig fires and explosions to platform construction accidents, workers face a heightened risk of injury on a daily basis. Many oil and gas workers are tasked with driving potentially explosive cargo on their site and to other work sites. More than 300 fossil fuel workers have died in transportation accidents over the past decade. 

Oil and gas companies use heavy equipment in their day-to-day operations. The use of equipment such as derricks and drillers can result in serious injuries. Other workers face long-term medical complications due to exposure to noxious chemicals. Chemical exposure has been linked to leukemia, brain trauma, and paralysis.