Workers’ compensation is a system in the United States and many other countries that provide benefits to workers who are injured or become ill due to their job. State governments generally administer the program as part of social welfare programs. In most cases, workers’ compensation covers medical expenses, lost wages, and death benefits for the worker’s family members. There are several types of workers’ compensation plans, each with eligibility requirements and benefits.
Temporary Disability
Temporary disability is a payment you can receive if you cannot work because of an on-the-job injury or illness. Prices are usually made every two weeks until you can return to work or your condition becomes permanent and stationary.
There are statutory limits on the period during which temporary disability benefits are paid, depending on the injury date and type. Temporary partial disability payments may be available if you can still work at a lower capacity, and a workers compensation attorney can arrange that. These payments are made at two-thirds of the difference between your average weekly wage before and after the injury.
Permanent Disability
Permanent disability is a term used to describe an injury or illness resulting in an employee’s permanent impairment. This impairment may limit the employee’s ability to work and may entitle them to permanent disability benefits. An employee’s benefits are based on many factors, including the extent of their impairment, age, occupation, and date of injury.
Other factors that may be considered include apportionment (how much the disability is caused by work, compared to how many different factors cause it) and an adjustment factor that considers an injured worker’s loss of future earning capacity. The benefits are paid every two weeks until the full payment is reached or a lump sum settlement is made.
Medical Benefits
Medical benefits include the costs of all necessary treatments related to your workplace injury or illness. It may include compensation for medications, hospitalizations, nursing care, medical equipment, and other treatments.
When determining how much medical coverage to seek, you should consider any future or long-term care you may need.
You may also need to consider these expenses if your treatment requires travel. You can receive benefits for as long as medical services are needed due to your injury or illness.
Rehabilitation Benefits
The rehabilitation benefits available through workers’ compensation can include medical and therapeutic care, vocational rehabilitation, and other career support services. These benefits are meant to help injured workers return to meaningful employment.
To qualify for vocational rehabilitation benefits, workers must have accepted their liability by the workers’ compensation insurer and be medically stable with permanent functional limitations.
Services may be requested at any point during an open claim, and if a lump sum is approved, injured workers have up to two years from that date to request services.
Death Benefits
The death benefits provided by workers’ compensation include a sum of money to compensate the worker’s family for their loss and coverage for funeral and burial expenses. The employee’s spouse, children, or dependents are eligible for these perks.
Death benefits usually include a sum to compensate the worker’s family for their loss and coverage for funeral and burial expenses. In some states, death benefits are calculated as a percentage of the deceased worker’s earnings.
In conclusion, though it may be challenging to face the fact that you are injured and unable to work, workers’ compensation can provide benefits that will help you get back on your feet.
By understanding the process and what to expect, you can make the filing process easier for yourself and ensure you receive the benefits you deserve. Have any questions about workers’ compensation? Let us know in the comments below.
