Suffering from a work-related injury can be worrisome in more than one way. There are the whole injury problem and its possible complications to worry about. But if that wasn’t bad enough, there are the costs of medical treatment and the lost time you spent unemployed due to the injury.
The good thing is, almost every company now offers workers’ compensation. It’s even mandatory in some states for employers to participate in the workers’ compensation program. If you’ve been injured in the course of your work, personal injury lawyers can make sure your case is represented in the best way. With the help of expert advice, you can make sure your rights are protected and you’re fully compensated for the injuries and losses.
That being said, here are the essential things you should know about workers’ compensation laws.
What is Workers’ Compensation?
When an employee suffers from work-related injuries, the workers’ compensation laws can compensate them. The benefits include coverage of medical expenses throughout the course of treatment, compensation for the time spent unemployed due to the injury, and compensation for the family members in case the employee died on the job. The laws compensate employees from more than just physical injuries, making sure they’re taken care of if they’ve suffered any kind of illness, such as psychological trauma or chronic illnesses.
Even if the injury that took place was the employee’s fault, the laws ensure they’ll still be compensated. That is, as long as the employee didn’t intend to do any self-harm, or didn’t fall ill due to drug or alcohol abuse.
Who Benefits from it?
Workers’ compensation laws are there to protect the employer from getting sued by the injured employees, but they also make sure the workers and their families are compensated for their trouble when it comes to any work-related injury. When the injured employees receive the compensation, they automatically give up their right to sue the employer for damages. Otherwise, they’d be able to sue the employer personally.
Who’s Eligible for a Workers’ Comp?
In simple terms, those who are eligible for workers’ compensation should fulfill these criteria:
- They should be employees. Freelancers and independent contractors don’t get such benefits if they get injured on the job.
- Their employer should provide workers’ compensation coverage. While state laws differ, many states make it mandatory for employers to enroll in the workers’ compensation program.
- The injury occurred due to a work-related incident. On-site injuries are pretty straightforward, but some injuries may occur during work on out-of-site premises. These should also be compensated. However, injuries taking place in the workplace which weren’t because of the job itself can be a bit shady and needs more investigation.
- The claim should be done before its deadline. Again, state laws vary, but every state puts its own deadlines for reporting the injury and filing claims.
Protecting Your Rights
Getting injured on the job is difficult for many reasons, but that’s why workers’ compensation laws exist. These laws ensure the employer covers the costs of any medical expenses, whether the injury is a physical injury, psychological trauma, or chronic illness. In worst-case scenarios, it compensates the family members of the deceased worker. Employers are also protected against being sued by offering this coverage.
