Workers’ Compensation Coverage

29 Apr

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Worker's Compensation

Workers’ compensation coverage can help injured workers who are dealing with medical expenses, lost wages, ongoing treatment, and more. The coverage may also include the ambulance ride, medication, and physical therapy. When a work injury occurs, it’s time to determine whether you have workers’ compensation coverage.

Medical Expense Help

Injuries often mean medical expenses. An accident in the workplace generally means that workers’ compensation covers the emergency care from ambulance to emergency room visit. But moreover, the coverage is meant to help with any surgical procedures, medications, ongoing care, physical rehabilitation, and more.

For example, suppose a roofer is working on a roof and falls, breaking his leg. In that case, his workers’ compensation policy handles the cost of his following care from the hospital visit to surgery and medications.

Lost Wages Compensation

Different injuries require different amounts of time for recovery. While some injuries may keep a worker from returning to work for a few days, other injuries will demand weeks or months for recovery. Workers’ compensation often pays for part or all of the lost pay that the worker is unable to earn while healing from work-related injury or illness.

Say that a worker accidentally crushes his or her foot under a corporate-sized air-conditioner unit. This worker will need a while to recover — maybe months. During this time, the workers’ compensation policy would cover a portion of those lost wages.

Fatal Injury Compensation

Work injuries can sometimes result in the worst outcome possible: death. When work injuries turn fatal, workers’ compensation also provides support to the deceased worker’s family, helping to cover funeral expenses. This can be so helpful to families as they adjust to their new realities.

In this instance, an electrician is in the midst of rewiring and touches a live wire. Unfortunately, the worker dies. The workers’ compensation policy handles the funeral and burial costs while also including financial support for the surviving family members.

Not Covered by Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation insurance can cover several employee injuries; however, not every situation falls under this policy. The injuries that are not covered by workers’ compensation vary from state to state. It’s essential to speak to a lawyer who understands your state laws.

In general, workers’ compensation policies do not cover injuries that result from an employee brawl, employee intoxication, intentional injuries, or emotional injuries not accompanied by physical workplace trauma. Workers’ compensation also does not cover independent contractor injuries or the wages for a replacement worker. Injuries can also not be claimed after termination or layoff.

State to state, workers’ compensation coverage may differ, so it’s important to double-check. If you live in Florida and have experienced a worker injury, please feel free to reach out to our office for a free consultation by emailing office@carrilloinjurylaw.com.