Workers’ compensation is an employment insurance program that offers financial benefits to workers who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses, including medical care and lost wages. If a worker has sustained injuries due to employer negligence, they have the right to sue them for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and long-term care.

Workers’ compensation laws vary based on your state. While it may seem like an addition to your business expenses, workers’ expenses can safeguard you from litigation if a worker gets sick or injured while at work. Below are four things you need to know about workers’ compensation.

1.    What is considered a workplace injury?

Workplace injuries include diseases and damages caused by exposure to equipment, materials, and work activities. Ideally, when employees get injured at work, they should report the incident to their employer as soon as it happens. Delaying the claim filing may cause the insurance provider to deny the worker compensation benefits. The delay might also give the carrier the feeling that the claim is not legitimate.

2.    Workers’ compensation statute of limitations

Each state has different statutes of limitations to file workers’ compensation claims. There are specific deadlines for filing claims based on where the employee resides. The deadline might also vary depending on the type of injury. Workers have time limits to notify their employers of their injuries. Failure to do so can jeopardize their chances of getting compensated. Employees can notify their employers of their injuries via formal letters, emails, or in-person and ensure it’s documented as proof should anything go wrong.

3.    Types of workers’ compensation benefits

If your occupational-related injuries make you eligible for workers’ compensation, you might not be aware of the benefits you’re entitled to. Is it rehabilitation, medical treatment, death, disability benefits?

• Medical care benefits: They cover surgeries, doctor visits, emergency room care, medications, physical therapy, and other treatments for work-related injuries. It can also cover any equipment you might need for your recovery
• Rehabilitation benefits: This compensation covers the therapeutic and medical care you need to cope and recover from your injuries. They may also cater to the care and training necessary to help you regain the abilities and skills you need to go back to work. Rehabilitation benefits also offer support to permanently disabled employees or those that can’t return to their former employment
• Disability benefits: Where an employee cannot work due to a work-related disability, disability benefits can cover part of their lost wages. However, the amount depends on the worker’s earning capacity, disability type, and state regulations
• Death benefits: Also known as survivor benefits, death benefits are given to a deceased employee’s dependents if the worker died of work-related injuries. They also pay for funeral and burial expenses

4.    Hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer

Ideally, you don’t need an attorney to receive your workers’ compensation benefits. However, you may face complications, including your employer refusing to pay for all your medical costs or denying the claim, or you’re accused of fraud, you have a claim against a third party, or your employer denies the accident happened at work. In that case, you will have to hire a reliable, experienced workers’ compensation attorney to fight your case.

Endnote

Understanding workers’ compensation helps workers know their rights. This article will help you learn all you need to know about workers’ compensation.