Inadequate lighting may be an unexpected hazard in Boston workplaces. Poor lighting may cause eyestrain in workers, especially those who need to look at detailed visuals. Moreover, inadequate lighting may also present a problem in other places on the job, such as stairwells, parking lots, in front of the building, and supply closets. In some cases, inadequate lighting may be to blame for slip and falls or third-party criminal attacks. While property owners have a duty to make sure that interior and exterior lights are in working condition, the only remedy that an employee may have against an employer that fails to meet this obligation is workers' compensation insurance. The Boston workers’ compensation attorneys at Pulgini & Norton can help you seek benefits for injuries or conditions caused by poor lighting in the workplace.
Injuries Caused by Inadequate LightingUnder the Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Act, a worker who suffers an injury arising out of and in the course of employment is entitled to benefits that support them during the time that they are disabled. You must show that you were working for your employer at the time of the injury. Almost all employers in Massachusetts must maintain a workers' compensation policy. When an employer fails to obey this law, the benefits may be paid by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which will pursue the employer for reimbursement.
You may recover benefits for job-related injuries arising out of inadequate lighting, including eyestrain, sprained ankles, broken bones, and concussions. You should report these injuries to your employer as soon as possible. If you have been unable to earn your full paycheck for five or more days because of a job-related injury, your employer has seven days to report the injury to its workers' compensation insurer. The insurer has 14 calendar days from receiving the employer's report of injury to mail you a check or deny the claim.
Your Form 110 (employee claim) may be filed with the insurer at any time, but the Department of Industrial Accidents, which is responsible for administering the workers' compensation system, will not be able to accept it for 30 days after your first disability date or the date on which the insurer notifies you of a denial.
In general, Massachusetts workers may not recover workers' compensation benefits for injuries sustained while traveling to or from work. However, there are exceptions when an employee works outside the employer's premises. Two factors considered in determining whether workers' compensation should be paid for an injury that happens away from the premises are whether an employee was being paid at the time of the accident, even though it was off-site, and whether the employee was being reimbursed for the cost of travel. For example, if you are on a business trip for which you are being paid, and you slip and fall in an inadequately lit parking lot at the hotel, you may be able to recover workers' compensation benefits.
Contact a Knowledgeable Workers' Compensation Attorney in BostonJust because an insurer issues a denial does not mean that you do not have a valid workers' compensation claim. If you were injured at your job due to inadequate lighting, you should retain an experienced Boston workers' compensation lawyer. The job injury attorneys at Pulgini & Norton handle challenging workers' compensation claims throughout Massachusetts, including in Braintree, Newton, and Weymouth. For a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 781-843-2200.