Workers’ Compensation for Sewer and Water Pipelayers Sewer and Water Pipelayers have dangerous and challenging jobs. They’re outside in all kinds of weather laying pipe and repairing broken mains so businesses and residences around the area can have access to water and sewer services. These are dedicated laborers who know how to work heavy equipment and use hand tools to get the job done. As a pipelayer, you know what it is like to face the hot summer sun and the cold temperatures of winter. You have worked in snow and ice, or gotten drenched in a terrible downpour making sure your job is done right. As a pipelayer, your family depends on your paycheck to cover basic living expenses. And, if you are like most families, you live from paycheck to paycheck with very little savings set aside for emergencies. You Have Been Injured on the Job If you get hurt at work, you are facing a physical and emotional struggle. You are unable to work because of the physical pains and injury, but you are emotionally drained and stressed because you know that your family depends on your paycheck for rent, utilities, and groceries. If you are hurt at work, there are laws in place to protect your rights. Workers’ compensation is a kind of insurance that was created to provide coverage to you while you are on the job. This is paid by your employer at no cost to you. If you are hurt on the job, workers’ compensation should cover your medical expenses and provide you with compensation in lieu of your missed paychecks. You face risks every day that you are on the job, but workers’ compensation was designed to help protect you in the event of a work-related illness or injury. Risks to Pipelayers As a pipelayer, you face multiple risks every day you are on the job. If you are in a ditch placing pipe, the sides could collapse in on you and leaving you underneath a mound of dirt. There have been several instances where pipelayers have suffered injuries that include broken ribs, collapsed lungs, spinal damage, or head trauma because of a ditch collapse. There have also been instances where the worker following the ditch digger equipment slipped and fell, amputating a leg or a foot as he went under the machine. Even when you are wearing your protective clothing, such as a hardhat, steel-toed boots, and leather gloves you can face serious injuries. You can suffer back injuries from frequenting bending and lifting, you can experience repetitive trauma such as carpal tunnel from constant hand motions from operating heavy equipment or using hand tools. There are also risks of broken bones from falls or equipment malfunctions. What to Do if You Are Hurt If you are hurt, you should notify your supervisor immediately. Do not wait until the end of your work day. Continuing work can make the injury worse. Immediate notification of your injury also helps protect your legal rights. Make sure an accident report is completed as quickly as possible so you have included accurate details. If you are seriously injured, having suffered a broken bone or a head injury, you should call an ambulance. For injuries that aren’t life-threatening, you should see a doctor right away. Your employer may have a list of workers’ comp physicians for you. You should choose a provider from that list for treatment. Keep receipts of anything you pay for out of pocket, such as prescriptions. You should make an appointment to speak with a workers’ compensation right away. If you speak with the insurance company on your own, you may be losing out on future medical care and compensation you deserve for your long-term suffering.
