Injured workers often face an uphill battle to get their lives back on track after a serious accident at work. However, they rarely — if ever — truly face these struggles alone. Workplace injuries also affect family members, who tend to suffer the financial blowback of these types of injuries alongside the victims.
Families end up footing the bill
Suffering a serious injury at work can not only be physically and emotionally damaging, but financially draining too. Costs associated with medical care and funerals can be sky high in New Jersey. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, victims and their families often end up paying as much as 50% of these costs. The rest of the costs come from:
- 13% private health insurance
- 16% government sources
- 21% workers’ compensation
The immediate costs for medical bills, funerals and lost wages are only a small part of the picture. Workplace injuries are associated with lost opportunity. After suffering financial setbacks like those associated with work injuries, families often lose the opportunity to do things like send their children to college or adequately plan for the future.
It is clear that New Jersey families also suffer when a loved one is hurt on the job. Addressing the financial impact of workplace injuries as soon as possible is often key to minimizing opportunity loss and preserving families’ financial situations. While this might seem like a daunting task, the benefits provided through the workers’ compensation system can be essential for victims and their families.