More people than ever are choosing seasonal work. During the winter, many employees at ski resorts, eateries, and other connected businesses have the opportunity to work seasonally. A seasonal worker may be recruited for a few weeks or months and work full- or part-time.
In Vermont, the workers' compensation program is required by law. All businesses are required by state law to provide workers' compensation insurance to their employees. In Vermont, it is required by law that you are covered by the workers' compensation insurance that your employer offers. Seasonal employees are eligible.
However, the workers' compensation program in Vermont does not provide any coverage for independent contractors.
It is important to seek legal counsel from an experienced Vermont workers' compensation attorney for advice, especially if you've sustained a severe injury or have been rendered permanently disabled. If you were injured at work and need assistance with your claim or have questions about your coverage, get in touch with a Vermont workers' compensation attorney right away.
Do Seasonal Workers Have a Higher Risk of Injury Than Full-Time Employees?
Seasonal workers may be more likely to experience work-related injuries than their permanent, full-time counterparts. This is not always the case, but certain characteristics of seasonal work can increase the likelihood of damage. An employer should not expect the performance of seasonal workers to match that of its full-time, experienced employees performing comparable work.
Employers' unrealistic expectations, a lack of sufficient training, and hurried performance can all contribute to seasonal workers' higher injury rates when compared to regular workers. Employers must regard seasonal workers as team members who require proper training to ensure they can perform their tasks safely and successfully. Seasonal employees should not attempt to match the speed of more seasoned employees.
What Should Seasonal Workers Do If They Are Injured at Work?
Under Vermont's workers' compensation law, both employers and injured employees are required to document their injuries and file on time. First and foremost, wounded workers must immediately report the accident to their employer or supervisor.
If you fail to file a timely workers' compensation claim for your workplace injuries, you run the risk of losing benefits. Obviously, severe workplace injuries always require immediate medical care. Beyond that, even apparent minor or moderate injuries should be evaluated by a doctor. Occasionally, an injury is not immediately visible and develops over hours, days, or weeks.
Carefully document your injuries. If you fail to obtain medical treatment, you will be unable to pursue workers' compensation claims efficiently.
After receiving notice of your injuries, your employer has 72 hours to make a claim with their insurance provider or notify the Vermont Department of Labor. Never forget to request copies of any submitted forms in your case.
If your employer doesn't report your injuries to the Department of Labor, you can do so yourself. Form 5, "Employee's Notice of Injury and Claim for Compensation," may be used for this purpose.
Your employer's insurance provider has 21 days to approve or deny your claim after it is submitted. Occasionally, employers may not cooperate with the claim procedure and refuse to pay benefits. To ensure that valid claims are not improperly dismissed, injured workers are advised to seek representation from an experienced Vermont workers' compensation attorney.
What is Covered by Vermont Workers' Compensation?
For those unfamiliar with workers' compensation, it is an insurance policy that covers medical bills and lost wages if an employee is injured on the job or falls ill due to a work-related illness. Vermont is one of many states that require employers to have workers' compensation insurance.
In most circumstances, workers' compensation policies include employer's liability insurance, which protects an employer from personal injury claims after an employee has filed a claim for workers' compensation and started collecting payments.
Workers' Compensation in Vermont Attorneys at Brandon J. Broderick aid in the Recovery of Injured Seasonal Employees.
Seasonal workers provide valuable services and are equally entitled to Workers' Compensation benefits as permanent workers. If you have been injured on the job, you must inform your employer immediately. After receiving any necessary immediate medical care, contact Brandon J. Broderick's experienced Vermont workers' compensation attorneys for assistance. Contact us for a complimentary consultation.