If you are an employer, you are likely familiar with workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation is a system of insurance. It provides multiple benefits to those who get injured and face health complications due to their job. Benefits can include medical expenses, income replacement, and death benefits. To be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, one must be an employee, and the injury must have occurred due to the job.
If one is injured on the job, one may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. There are many such laws in place in the US when it comes to the protection of rights of white as well as blue-collar employees. Find out more.
What Can an Employee Do?
No matter how safe your workplace is, the possibility of an accident or injury is always present. There may be machines at play or your colleagues. So, it would help if you kept abreast of the facts and policies. Some accidents are so severe that they can lead to a permanent disability. So, it would help if you were vigilant.
If you are injured on the job, report the injury to your supervisor as soon as possible. You should also seek medical attention for your injury. After receiving medical treatment, you must file a workers’ compensation claim with your state. You cannot do anything if you lose your life in the aftermath of the accident. However, your family can claim compensation.
Types of Claims
You can either file a workman’s compensation claim or a personal injury claim depending on the severity of your injuries, the state in which you live, and other factors.
Workers’ compensation claims are typically filed when an employee is injured or becomes ill due to their job. The state workers’ compensation board usually handles these claims.
Personal injury claims are typically filed when an employee is injured due to someone else’s negligence. For example, if you are injured in a car accident while on the job, you would file a personal injury claim against the other driver rather than a workers’ compensation claim. You can connect with a brain injury attorney to get the necessary help. Such individuals must have experience in this field. Moreover, they should be from the same jurisdiction where the accident occurred.
There are two types of workers’ compensation claims: medical and wage-loss. A medical claim covers the cost of your medical treatment, and a wage-loss claim covers the loss of wages you suffer due to your injury.
Death Benefits
If an employee dies due to their job, their survivors may be eligible for death benefits. Death benefits can include medical expenses, income replacement, and death benefits.
To be eligible for death benefits, the employee must have been working at the time of their death, and the death must have occurred as a result of their job.
If you are an employer, you must provide workers’ compensation insurance for your employees. If you do not have workers’ compensation insurance, you can be fined or even imprisoned.
Benefits of Filing a Claim
There are several benefits to filing a workers’ compensation claim.
- You will receive financial assistance for your medical expenses
- You will receive income replacement if you are unable to work
- You may be entitled to death benefits if you are killed due to your job
Filing a workers’ compensation claim can be a complex process, but it is worth it if you are injured on the job. Talk to an expert if you have any questions about filing a claim.
Types of Damages
- Medical expense — You will be compensated for all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to your injury.
- Wage loss — If you cannot work due to your injury, you may be eligible for wage-loss benefits. It will help your family meet all the daily expenses.
- Permanent disability — If you suffer a permanent disability due to your injury, you may be eligible for benefits.
- Anguish — You may be able to receive benefits for the agony and suffering you experience as a result of your injury.
- Death — If an employee dies due to their job, their survivors may be eligible for death benefits.
Out-of-pocket expenses — You may be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses you incur due to your injury. It may be the cost of medicine or first aid.
There are several benefits to filing a workers’ compensation claim. You will receive financial assistance for your medical expenses income replacement if you are unable to work, and you may be entitled to death benefits if you are killed due to your job. You can also get covered under personal mishaps laws.