Most workers in the country are eligible for workers’ compensation as employers are legally required to carry insurance in the event that an employee becomes sick due to workplace conditions or has an accident that requires treatment and time off work is required in order to fully recover. This applies to employees such as those who are members of the Dramatist Guild of America and are employed to write plays for production companies. If they are injured while writing in their workplace they have the right to apply for workers’ compensation and this enables them to recover the cost of medical treatment as well as being reimbursed for lost wages due to the need to take time off work to recover. The Dramatists Guild of America The Dramatists Guild of America is established as professional organization for primarily for composers, playwrights and lyricists who work in the U.S. theatre arena. The organization was first founded in1912 under the name of the Authors' League of America (ALA) mainly for 350 magazine and book authors and dramatists. When it got to 1921, two branches of the League were created called the Dramatists Guild which was for writers of stage and radio drama and another branch called the Authors Guild that covered both novelists and nonfiction magazine and book authors. Associate membership is open to anyone who has written at least 1 stage play. Typically, active members are those playwrights who have written one play which has been acted out in front of a paying audience or an important theatrical publisher has published their work. Student membership is possible for those who are taking part in a drama writing course. The Dramatists Guild has a specific role and that is to negotiate improved contracts for professional playwrights. Workplace Injuries Suffered by Dramatists Guild of America Members Playwrights and composers who work in the entertainment industry spend much of their time in busy theaters and offices going over their work with production companies and actors and actresses. There are often hazards that abound that could cause serious injuries such as props and other theatrical equipment. If a playwright or composer happens to fall down the stairs in a theatre he or she may be inflicted with some quite serious injuries such as broken limbs, facial injuries and spinal injuries. Additionally, there are other injuries like tripping and falling over theatrical apparatus. This could cause traumatic brain injury if in the process of falling the victim strikes his or her head on a sharp protruding object. Whatever the injury often a substantial amount of time off work has to be taken in order to fully recover. What to Do If You Have Been Hurt On the Job It doesn’t matter what occupation you are employed to do if you are injured you need to seek treatment first. As soon as you are physically and mentally able you should report the accident to your workplace supervisor on an accident at work form. This ensures that there is a date attached to the accident as some states impose a time limit on submitting a workers’ compensation claim. Often an employer’s insurer uses this as an excuse to deny a claim. You must also have the contact details of any witnesses to the accident easily available. This is important, as another trick an employer’s insurer often plays and that’s stating that there is lack of proof that the injury took place when you were at work. Once you have all the documentation at hand and your physician has written a medical report indicating the nature of your injury and the likely recovery time, you should contact a workers’ comp. attorney. Why Contact an Attorney If you try to submit a workers’ comp. claim on your own you may not get the compensation you deserve and the insurer may only offer you a lump sum which at first sight may look attractive. However, once you find it’s not sufficient there will be no looking back. An attorney will ensure you get the right amount covering all your financial costs such as loss of earnings and medical costs. Additional Resources Labor Unions and Workers' Compensation Benefits Speak With a Workers' Compensation Attorney Disclaimer The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against your employer, you may not be entitled to any compensation
