While it may not be the case in the corporate board room, in many industries, the highest paying positions tend to be the riskiest. With those high salaries, however, comes inherent danger. As such, there are special legal considerations for people brave enough to take on such positions that others in far safer jobs don’t have to worry about. Here are a few you should know about.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Those that are in risky jobs like construction, demolition, or even fishing have a higher chance of being injured while working than the rest of the general population. As such, those workers should certainly consider the workers’ compensation coverage made available to them.
You should be aware that workers’ compensation and disability are different things. Disability is provided by the government to workers that have become disabled and are no longer able to work. Workers’ compensation, however, is a kind of insurance provided by the employer that pays benefits for workplace related injuries. Those in high-risk professions should certainly seek out employers that offer generous workers’ compensation benefits.
Maritime Law
Some of the riskiest professions aren’t on any mainland. Instead, they involve work on bodies of water like the ocean or rivers. Fishermen and “roughnecks” who work on oil rigs are very dangerous positions that may require facing peril when things like the weather don’t go their way. According to statistics, oil rig workers are seven times more likely to die on the job than the average worker.
For those that work on bodies of water, something called maritime law helps dictate the rules for their employment. The Jones Act is the federal law that dictates how maritime workers are protected and under what circumstances can they receive compensation from employers. If you work in this industry, do your best to become familiar with this law on your own, or get in touch with a Maritime Law Center.
Death Benefits
Lastly, those that work in dangerous industries should certainly consider the death benefits offered by employers. According to OSHA, 4,836 people died on the job in 2015. Death benefits usually come under the scope of workers’ compensation insurance. Make sure you know what death benefits are offered. They can determine whether or not your family can make ends meet if you die on the job.
Legal considerations are important for any job. However, they are especially important for those that perform particularly dangerous work. The law can determine whether or not you and your family will be financially supported if you someday fall victim to a workplace injury, so it’s important to know as much as you can about it.
This article is from Brooke Chaplan, a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
