| Employees are injured on the job on the time and | | | | Programs. Workers who are injured while on the |
| are unaware of their rights, which is why it's | | | | job, who have been injured in association with |
| important to be knowledgeable of the | | | | their job or who have safety or health issues |
| Department of Labor's (DOL)Occupational Safety | | | | directly related to their job may be covered |
| and Health Act (OSHA), the Mine Safety and | | | | under workers' compensation. Workers' |
| Health Administration (MSHA) and the Fair Labor | | | | compensation is a system of laws outlining specific |
| Standards Act (FLSA). | | | | benefits to which an injured employee is entitled, |
| The Act requires each employee to work in an | | | | including lost wages and medical expenses. |
| environment that is free from hazards that may | | | | Additionally, it is an imperative safety net per se |
| cause injury or death. Also, included in the Act is | | | | when a worker is injured during working hours or |
| information about occupational safety and health | | | | because of their job. |
| standards. | | | | The specific issues associated with each case |
| The DOL also has a division that works to watch | | | | must be explored to determine the benefits an |
| and protect the welfare and rights of workers. | | | | employee may be entitled to receive. Additionally, |
| The division is known as the Employment | | | | an employee has the right to file a personal injury |
| Standards Administration division (ESA). ESA is | | | | lawsuit against the associated contractors |
| divided into four different programs to help | | | | responsible and this does not fall under worker's |
| employees receive workers' compensation, such | | | | compensation. |
| as the Office of Workers' Compensation | | | | |