Comedian Chris Rock was famously slapped at the Academy Awards Ceremony when he was a presenter. He reported that he still suffers from hearing loss as a result of the incident. thestart.com
This article will discuss whether Mr. Rock’s injury would be considered as a workers’ compensation claim.
Did Mr. Rock Suffer a Work-Related Injury Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Most likely yes. A requirement for there to be a workers’ compensation claim is that there is an employment relationship. The questio to be asked in a case such as Mr. Rock’s is “who did he work for?” Whoever hired him to be the presenter would be considered his employer. It could have been the broadcast company. It would have been the production company. It could have been a casting company. To determine who was Mr. Rock’s employer, the first place would be to do would be to look at his paycheck.
If Hearing Loss Is Mr. Rock’s Injury, How Would It Be Addressed Under Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ Compensation Law provides for permanent disability and future medical care for hearing loss injuries. Mr. Rock would most likely be referred to an Ear Nose and Throat or ENT doctor to evaluate him. The other name for these type of doctors is otolaryngologist. He may also be sent to an audiologist to have his hearing tested. Mr. Rock would also be evaluated with respect to whether his hearing loss could be corrected with hearing aids. The medical evaluations will determine whether Mr. Rock had any permanent injury with respect to hearing loss. Likewise, they will determine if he will need ongoing and future medical care.
What If I Need Advice?
If you would like a free consultation regarding workers’ compensation, please contact the Law Offices of Edward J. Singer, a Professional Law Corporation. We have been helping people in Central and Southern California deal with their workers’ compensation cases for 27 years. Contact us today for more information.