If you experienced injuries at the workplace, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Many employees experience workplace injuries and illnesses that cause them to lose time from work. Employers must cover workers’ injuries through workers’ compensation insurance. A workers’ compensation policy provides benefits to employees and most plans cover medical expenses that happened as a result of their employment.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that pays benefits to employees when they are injured on the job or become disabled as a result of their employment. It covers the expenses of worker’s injuries, as well as lost wages, and more. In most states, workers’ compensation is required by law for organizations that have employees.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits
The types of workers’ compensation benefit you may be seeking can include:
- Medical Coverage
- Disability Benefits
- Rehabilitation
- Death Benefits
How Workers’ Compensation Works
If you have suffered an injury at the workplace, you must report the incident immediately to your employer. If you do not report the incident by a certain deadline, you may not be able to receive benefits. Once you have accepted workers’ compensation benefits, you waive your right to file a suit against your employer. Many employees usually relinquish any further remedies as a trade-off for guaranteed compensation. Additionally, many employers will agree to a certain degree of liability to avoid a potential negligence lawsuit. Following the report of an injury, you need to do the following:
Seek medical assistance from an approved healthcare facility: When you are injured on the job, you must seek medical care immediately. Failure to do so can compromise your health and put your benefits in jeopardy. By receiving medical care, your doctor will furnish a medical report to coincide with your injury claim.
Begin the claims process: Your employer is in charge of providing information about the process and is responsible for furnishing you with the correct forms and contact information for the insurance company.
Collect benefits: Once your claim has been approved by the insurance company, you can start to receive workers’ compensation benefits. The benefits may include medical expense coverage, a percentage of your wages, and rehabilitation costs.
Go back to work: You may go back to work on a full time or reduced schedule based on your doctor’s recommendation. Your employer must facilitate reasonable accommodations to assist you with transitioning back into your job position.
Workers’ Compensation Settlements
If you get injured or sick at the workplace, you can also come to an agreement to a workers’ compensation settlement with your employer as opposed to taking an offer from the insurance company. Doing this will close out the case in exchange for you receiving a lump-sum payment. Keep in mind, once the settlement is reached and finalized, the matter is resolved completely and permanently.
Speak With a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you suffered injuries on the job or your claim was denied, contact a trusted team of lawyers such as The House of Workers Compensation to schedule a free consultation. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney will help you to understand the process and the options you may have.