Work Injuries Affecting Engineers

Engineering is a broad field that involves many different kinds of work in a wide range of industries. In general, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) explains, “engineers have a role in creating a variety of structures and products, from airports to zippers.” The biggest engineering occupation includes civil engineers, who “plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects,” but there are many other types of engineers, as well. Like other types of employees, engineers can get hurt on the job, and many can be eligible to seek workers’ compensation benefits.

Various Types of Engineers and Engineering Subfields 

The term “engineer” applies to many different specific specialties, and different kinds of engineers can be required to visit hazardous sites or to engage in job-related activities that may sometimes put them at greater risk of injury than other types of engineers. According to the BLS, the following are all types of engineers with specific job duties and professional expertise and experience:

• Aerospace engineers;
• Agricultural engineers;
• Biomedical engineers;
• Chemical engineers;
• Civil engineers;
• Computer hardware engineers;
• Electrical engineers;
• Environmental engineers;
• Industrial engineers;
• Marine engineers;
• Materials engineers;
• Mechanical engineers;
• Mining and geological engineers;
• Nuclear engineers and
• Petroleum engineers.

Any of the types of engineers above, as well as other kinds of engineers, can sustain a wide range of injuries on the job. Injuries can include desk-related injuries caused by repetitive motions (such as carpal tunnel syndrome), injuries from slips and falls in the office or at specific worksites, exposure-related injuries when visiting particular work sites, and machine-related or contact-with injuries caused by accidents at particular types of work sites.

How to Obtain Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Engineers 

Whether you got hurt while performing duties as a biomedical engineer, a civil engineer, or an industrial engineer, you may be eligible to seek workers’ compensation benefits. To be eligible for workers’ compensation coverage following an injury or diagnosis, you will need to show that your injury arose out of your employment. In general, if you were on the clock, or if you were engaged in work-related duties, or traveling on a required work trip, your injuries may be covered. The types of injuries that are not covered are those that occur while you are doing your daily commute. Even if your work-related injury arose because of your own negligence, in many cases, your injury can still be compensable.

You will need to report the injury or diagnosis to your employer as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days from the date of the injury or diagnosis. Florida workers’ compensation law also requires you to receive medical treatment from an approved provider (in order words, you cannot simply choose any doctor for treatment, but instead must see a provider approved by your employer or the insurer).

Contact a Pompano Beach Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Pompano Beach 

If you work as an engineer and got hurt on the job, you may be able to seek workers’ compensation coverage. One of the experienced Pompano Beach workers’ compensation attorneys at the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. can learn more about your injury or occupational disease today and can help you to seek the compensation you need.

Sources:

bls.gov/emp/tables/emp-by-detailed-occupation.htm

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/0440.html