Associate Level Material

Appendix C Understanding Work-Related Injuries

Case Studies: 1. Janet works as a branch manager for a large banking firm. Her job requires her to travel by personal vehicle to different branch offices several times each week. Janet has lower back problems from a result of a skiing accident many years ago, which is further aggravated by long periods of sitting while driving. Janet was returning from the branch office to the home office on Thursday afternoon when another driver struck her car from behind. physician e!amined Janet and determined that the accident aggravated her pre"e!isting back injury. The physician ordered Janet to remain off work for at least two weeks. a. #s this injury covered under workers$ compensation ? Yes b. %ationale for your decision& She got hurt while performing job related function; it occurred during the course of employment. he injury occurred by accident. c. #f covered, identify the appropriate injury category& #njury with temporary disability. '. (rank works as a clerk in a local convenience store with a non"smoking policy. )n a personal work break, (rank stepped outside the building to smoke a cigarette. s (rank walked across the parking lot, he slipped on a patch of ice and fell, breaking his wrist and injuring his outstretched hand. a. #s this injury covered under workers$ compensation* !o b. %ationale for your decision& he injury occurred while the employee was on brea"; he was not performing a job function. c. #f covered, identify the appropriate injury category& his injury is not covered. +. Tom is an electrician who works for ,agle ,lectrical -ompany as an independent contractor. .ast Tuesday, the company dispatched Tom to a local business office to investigate a wiring problem. /hile checking the circuit bo!, Tom sustained severe burns to his hands and upper torso when a faulty switch caused an electrical arcing event. Tom$s medical bills totaled over 0123,333. a. #s this injury covered under workers$ compensation* !o

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b. %ationale for your decision& #or"er$s compensation usually does not cover independent contractors. c. #f covered, identify the appropriate injury category& %njuries not covered 4. %ich works for Home 5olutions ,!perts as a carpet installer. The company actively promotes workplace safety and provides ergonomic equipment to all employees. %ich has had ongoing pain in his knees, and it is progressively worsening. fter an e!amination, his physician determined he was suffering from bursitis, commonly known as 6carpet layer$s knee.7 This required an arthroscopic knee aspiration, a minimum of three weeks off work, and physical therapy. a. #s this injury covered under workers$ compensation* Yes. b. %ationale for your decision& &ich developed the condition while performing wor" duties; constantly bending down on his hands and "nees to lay carpet. c. #f covered, identify the appropriate injury category& %njury with temporary disability. 2. 8onnie works as a transportation security officer for the )ffice of Homeland 5ecurity. 9uring the course of a routine airport baggage screening, a passenger became agitated and shoved 8onnie, causing her to stumble backwards over a pile of luggage. s a direct result, 8onnie e!perienced severe back pain, which her physician diagnosed as a strained muscle. He ordered her to remain off work for at least one week and on light duty for three weeks after. a. #s this injury covered under workers$ compensation* Yes b. %ationale for your decision& he injury occurred while on the job c. #f covered, identify the appropriate injury category& %njury without disability

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