The agricultural sector, especially the farming industry, is among the most hazardous environments, where injuries occur almost daily. In fact, 18 workers per every 100,000 die annually due to accidents and exposure to toxic chemicals.
Farm injuries can have severe consequences on your well-being and your livelihood. Therefore, if you’re an injured agricultural worker, you may wonder whether worker’s compensation can help.
Here are a few things you should know about workers’ compensation as an agricultural worker.
Workers’ compensation coverage differs by state
The workers’ compensation benefits are held by insurance policies that are paid for by your employer. Every state has its rules and standards. Besides, only some injuries might be covered, and the duration it takes to file a claim differs too.
For example, Florida only needs an agricultural employer to have workers’ compensation if they have more than six regular workers or 12 seasonal workers who work for more than a month in a year.
There are various types of injuries you can sustain on a farm
The agricultural sector is prevalent with injuries specific to the tasks performed by workers. Some of the common types of injuries and accidents include:
- Falls
- Exposure to heat resulting in illness (dehydration or heat stroke)
- Vehicle accidents like harvester and tractor accidents
- Exposure to toxic chemicals like pesticides
There are specific steps you must take when filing for workers’ compensation
In case you are injured in a farm accident, you should follow various vital steps to file a claim. First, you should collect all the evidence you can, including pictures of the accident scene and details of any witnesses. Moreover, you will have to report the injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident and seek approved medical attention.
You can protect your rights and seek compensation if injured on a farm
Farm workers are usually exposed to many risks in their everyday functions. Luckily, if you sustain injuries while working on a farm, you have the right to get compensation.
