Think about the world that we live in: almost everything seems immediately in risk. Yet, there are still things that we need that may seem easy for us to access, but still takes the work of a dedicated person. One such thing is wood. Whether it is wood to build with or paper, we all need the help of lumberjacks. Being a lumberjack is dangerous and yet we all still very much depend on them. If you’re hurt on the job as a lumberjack, you may not be able to work or take care of your family. Do you have money in your savings account to keep your bills paid? Even people who are paid well often don’t have enough money saved up for emergencies such as this. Workers’ Compensation May Help You In the United States, every state has a law that requires most employers to have a workers’ compensation insurance policy to help employees who are hurt on the job. If you are hurt on the job, you may file a workers’ compensation claim to receive benefits. Workers’ compensation benefits ultimately depend on the injury that you receive. Common benefits include assistance with medical expenses (including prescriptions and doctors’ visits), job training, physical therapy, and even help with a partial payment of your lost wages if you cannot work either temporarily or permanently. There are other benefits available, but you will only receive benefits if you file a workers’ compensation claim.≈ If you are hurt on the job as a lumberjack and you want to file a workers’ compensation claim, speak with your manager or someone in the Human Resources department. Make sure that you ask for a list of doctors that can treat you without any cost to you. Company Profile: Patrick Industries, Inc. Patrick Industries, Inc. is a manufacturer of building products and materials. They are headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana. They have more than 1,000 employees. Primarily, the wood they harvest is used for manufactured housing. Risks Faced By Patrick Industries, Inc., Employees Ultimately, the risks that you face as a lumberjack for Patrick Industries, Inc., will depend on your duties as an employee. Regardless, working as a lumberjack or sawmill have serious risks associated with it. A couple of the most common risks are listed below, but you may realize other potential risks to your safety: Repetitive stress injury: Repetitive stress injury may seem like a minor affair, but it can stop you from working as a lumberjack or from doing lots of other jobs. Repetitive stress injury is caused by performing the same motions over and over for a long period of time. This can cause permanent injury to one of your joints. You may need surgery, physical therapy, or medication. Accidents with saws and axes: Accidently cutting yourself with a saw or axe can cause death or a serious injury. Even if you’re walking, trip, and land on the handle, you could suffer from devastating internal injuries. You Have Rights If you’re hurt on the job at Patrick Industries, Inc., you have rights under workers’ compensation law. Contact a workers’ compensation attorney to learn more about your rights and to make sure that you’re getting the benefits that you deserve. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Patrick Industries or any of its related companies, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
