Workers' compensation: When age contributes to work injuries

Ageism is and has always been a real problem in Maryland and across the country. Numerous people are refused employment or let go from their positions to make jobs available for those younger than them. Age discrimination is illegal, but most employers get away with it simply by documenting other reasons for refusing employment or issuing terminations. One area where age has become an issue in the workplace is in regard to workers' compensation. A recently published article talked specifically about how age contributes to work injuries and the problem that presents to employers and the injured.

The article mentioned above discusses age and its impact on workers' compensation claims in the trucking industry. This field of employment has an aging workforce with fewer young people wanting to pursue truck-driving careers. Truck drivers can easily be hurt in their line of work, though those who are older are more likely to suffer injury than their younger counterparts. An older worker is going to find it harder to catch him- or herself in a fall, is more likely to experience joint injuries from the sedentary nature of the job, and is more likely to get dehydrated when consuming beverages to help him or her stay awake -- among other things.

The trucking industry sees numerous workers' compensation claims every year. It is unclear how many of those are actually accepted and paid out. When outside factors contribute to a work injury, workers' comp claims may be denied. Age is not a reason to deny a workers' compensation claim, but that doesn't mean it does not happen.

When age contributes to work injuries, there may be questions about who is responsible for covering the injured individual's losses. At the end of the day, age should have nothing to do with it. Workers' compensation benefits are there to protect employees when they are injured on the job, regardless of their age. Maryland residents who find themselves struggling to achieve fair workers' comp benefits, and believe that their age may have something to do with it, can turn to an experienced attorney for assistance seeking maximum relief.