The Nebraska Supreme Court has ruled an illegal immigrant is entitled to workers' compensation payments.

Friday's ruling is the first time the high court has held that illegal immigrants are protected by the state's workers' compensation law.

The ruling says not paying the benefits creates a financial incentive for employers to hire illegal immigrants. The court also noted there's broad language in the law that does not require a person to be in the United States legally.

The ruling follows similar cases around the country, including a 2009 appeals court ruling in Nebraska.

Ricardo Moyera suffered a nerve disorder when a forklift ran over his foot at a pork processing facility in Omaha in 2008.