What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?

01 Mar

Written by admin
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Worker's Compensation

Workers’ compensation covers benefits for employees who have suffered work-related injuries and illnesses. While certain exceptions occur, the point of workers’ compensation is to ensure that those injured on the job receive monetary aid as they recover.

Workers’ compensation, a state-mandated insurance program, differs from state to state, and the federal government even has its separate compensation program. An employee who suffers a job-related injury or illness is often eligible for workers’ compensation benefits regardless of who was at fault. There are some limits to be aware of when seeking workers’ compensation.

Workers’ Compensation Coverage

Worker’s compensation coverage provides for workers who become injured or ill from a work-related reason. This coverage often includes lost wages, death benefits, medical expenses, disability benefits, funeral expenses, and possibly more. Moreover, workers’ compensation can also reduce your possible liability for work injuries and illnesses.

The majority of states require businesses to have workers’ compensation insurance. Workers are eligible for these benefits only if the illness or injury occurs due to their job. However, if injury or illness occurs due to intoxication or intentional injury, these benefits do not become available.

Lost Wages

Injured or ill workers often need time off to recover, which can mean that they lose income. Worker’s compensation may be able to replace some of those wages.

Medical Costs

Recovery from illness or injury can mean heavy medical expenses, which can spell disaster for employees who cannot work during this time. Employees may deal with expenses from emergency room visits, possible surgeries, prescriptions, follow-up appointments, and more. Workers’ compensation provides coverage for the medical expenses related to that job injury or illness.

Continued Care

Some injury or illness recovery necessitates continued treatment, which in turn means more expenses. Workers’ compensation helps to cover treatments such as physical therapy or continued prescriptions.

Repetitive Injury Care

Injuries can happen from repetitive work activities. For example, a common repetitive injury is carpal tunnel syndrome. Workers’ compensation covers treatment costs.

Disability Situations

Work injuries can cause temporary or permanent disability for an employee. Workers’ compensation can cover lost wages, medical bills, and continued treatment care.

Workers’ Compensation Coverage for Workers

When it comes to workers’ compensation, not every employee is covered. How do you know if you are eligible for workers’ compensation?

A number of factors determine if employees are eligible for workers’ compensation coverage, including employee roles, business size, state requirements, and more. Since every state is different, it’s important to check the laws for your state.

In the state of Florida, employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. Naturally, the coverage requirements vary from industry to industry, and the number of employees and the type of business is important as well.

What Workers’ Compensation Coverage Does Not Cover

While workers’ compensation covers many injured and ill workers, some situations are not eligible for these benefits. Workers who become injured or ill due to drugs or alcohol are not eligible, and company policy violations are also not covered. Worker injuries cannot be claimed after termination or layoff.

Workers’ compensation is meant to be a benefit that helps companies and employees alike. As a worker, if you suffer injury or illness due to your job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation coverage. Speak with a workers’ compensation lawyer today with a free consultation by emailing office@carrilloinjurylaw.com.