Pilots fly aircraft that may vary from tiny two-seaters right though to large commercial airliners and military aircraft. They may be self employed, work on a contract basis, or be employed by a private individual, business, corporation or the government. Generally, as long as the aircraft they fly is well maintained and has a good reputation for design the main risks come from stress, as well as illness related to a constantly changing workload and time. Of course, the very worst accident that a pilot could face is the possibility of a collision in the air or a serious mechanical or electronic malfunction. Fortunately, this risk has become far less likely with modern planes. Common Workplace Injuries as a Pilot There are no specific workplace injuries that pilots face which are any different to injuries that could happen to any employee involved in the aviation industry. The risk factor is related to the level of maintenance provided for the aircraft flown. Most at risk are pilots who fly small planes in often challenging air conditions. Commercial and military pilots are often least at risk of injury while actually at work in a plane, because of the degree of the level of care taken over maintenance schedules of planes flown and more regular work schedules. Of course, a pilot can fall down a flight of stairs or slip over on an icy runway the same way as any employee involved in the aviation industry. Next Steps After a Workplace Injury Most commercial pilots, except for those who are self-employed, should be covered by their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance cover. Military pilots who fly planes for the federal government are covered by a similar but not identical scheme. Commercial pilots who are injured while at work or who develop a work related sickness may file a claim with their employer’s insurer or with the state workers’ compensation agency or board, depending on the state in which the pilot is based. Before any claim is filed, the pilot must ensure that the injury is officially recorded by the company or business employing them and seek medical treatment for their injury. How Workers Compensation Can Help Workers’ compensation is a ‘bare bones’ employment insurance. Unlike personal injury compensation it does not cover any more than medical treatment and part of any lost earnings.However, one big advantage that workers’ compensation has is that there is no need to prove that a workplace injury was caused by an employer’s negligence. That means that most workers’ compensation claims should be less contentious and take less time to complete. One disadvantage for pilots is that many states do not recognize mental or emotional illness for workers’ compensation, yet a common workplace illness for pilots is mental breakdown, or stress related to the job. Why You Should Contact a Lawyer An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help assess a workplace injury or illness and advise a pilot whether to submit a claim based on the likelihood that it would be accepted. If a claim is denied, often because an insurance adjuster is not convinced that the claim is valid or that the injury claimed for genuinely happened at work, then an attorney can help the pilot with the often protracted appeals process. Complete the Free Case Evaluation on this page to discuss your claim with a workers’ compensation lawyer. Additional Resources Do You Need a Lawyer For Your Claim? What Types of Injuries Does a Workers’ Compensation Claim Cover?
