Workers’ Compensation for Aerospace Workers

According to the Mississippi Development Authority, aerospace is a leading career field in Mississippi. In fact, there are around 20 different aerospace companies spread throughout the state, manufacturing and testing various aerospace products and equipment for the entire country to use.

However, aerospace workers are at risk of becoming injured just like any other type of worker, which can lead to needing workers’ compensation assistance to help them through this difficult time.

What is workers’ compensation, and who is covered in Mississippi?

Workers’ compensation is insurance that employers must purchase to cover their employees’ illnesses and injuries if they occur at work or while doing work-related duties. The agreement behind workers’ compensation is that the employee will receive insurance to help them pay for their medical bills and lost wages, and, in return, they will not sue their employer.

Each state manages their own workers’ compensation programs, making the rules and guidelines different in every state. The Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Law went into effect on January 1, 1949, and it is cited in the MS Code 71-3-1.

When it comes to who is covered under Mississippi workers’ compensation, almost every employee in the state is covered. However, there are exceptions. For example, independent contractors, companies with less than five employees, farmers, and individuals working for religious or non-profit organizations do not qualify for workers’ compensation in the state of Mississippi. Therefore, if you become hurt while carrying out your work-related duties, it is crucial that you take the time to ensure that your company has workers’ compensation insurance before filing a claim.

Injuries and illnesses covered under Mississippi’s workers’ compensation

Whether you suffer a minor laceration to your arm or a severely fractured hip, your injuries and illnesses are covered under Mississippi’s workers’ compensation as long as it is work-related. However, you must have significant proof that it happened at work or while doing your job-related responsibilities.

Therefore, as long as this proof is established, an employee can file for workers’ compensation if they were injured by a machine in their aerospace manufacturing facility, driving or delivering parts in their company’s vehicle, or even while participating in a mandatory celebratory event hosted by their employer.

How to get workers’ compensation

If you suffer an injury or illness at work, you must report it to your employer within 30 days. Although you are given almost a month to report this, it is recommended that you do it as soon as possible. If you fail to let your employer know about your illness or injury, your claim for workers’ compensation may be denied. Therefore, it is extremely important that you do not skip this step.

After you have alerted your employer, they must notify their insurance company. Then, the insurance company will make a decision on whether to accept your claim or not. There is nothing you can do during this step except wait for their decision.

If your workers’ compensation claim is denied, you can hire an experienced workers’ compensation attorney from Merkel & Cocke, P.A. We know that this typically results in people feeling discouraged and wanting to give up, but it is common for these types of claims to be denied at first. We can appeal against the decision, review your materials, and gather more evidence and information to support your workers’ compensation claim.

Is there a time limit to file for workers’ compensation in Mississippi?

According to MS Code 71-3-35, you have two years from the date of injury to file a workers’ compensation claim or appeal a denial. Our workers’ compensation attorneys know that this may seem like a great amount of time, but it is important that you do not wait until the last minute to get started on this.

The workers’ compensation process can be long and overwhelming for some workers. That said, we will create a list of deadlines and ensure that you meet all of them. If you miss the deadline to file or appeal a workers’ compensation decision, you will most likely not be able to seek or receive these benefits. Therefore, it is essential to have a workers’ compensation lawyer by your side, helping you understand everything going on and what you need to do to successfully file for workers’ compensation in the state of Mississippi.

What does workers’ compensation pay for?

When an employee becomes sick or injured because of their job, they may qualify for a few different benefits through the workers’ compensation program. These benefits pay for different things, such as:

• Medical bills, treatments, and prescriptions
• Lost income, which is typically two-thirds of your income before the accident
• Disability payments
• Job training

Our attorneys at Merkel & Cocke, P.A., believe that injured or ill workers should never have to pay for their medical costs out of pocket or feel the need to worry about losing income while recovering. Therefore, we will do everything possible to fight for your right to the benefits you are entitled to recover.

The aerospace industry is highly respected as it deals with designing, creating, and testing various aircraft, satellites, and spacecraft. Therefore, our attorneys at Merkel & Cocke, P.A. work diligently to help employees who work in this industry and need help filing for workers’ compensation. We understand that this process can be stressful and frustrating, which is why we will guide you through every step and ensure that all paperwork is complete and ready to be turned in.

If you are ready to begin, contact our workers’ compensation lawyers for a free case evaluation today. Call our office or submit our contact form. You can schedule this meeting at one of our office locations in Jackson, Clarksdale, Greenville, or Oxford.