Most employees understand that workers’ compensation exists to support workers who have been injured while on the job; however, workers’ compensation has different types and levels of care for employees.

Workers’ compensation, commonly shortened to “workers’ comp,” is a government-mandated program offering benefits to individuals who become ill or injured due to their work. In the United States, the individual states primarily handle the workers’ comp. And the required benefits vary significantly across the states.

Types of Workers’ Compensation

If you are a working individual in the U.S., it can be helpful for you to be aware of the different types of workers’ comp. Knowledge is power, and it may help you in the event of injury or illness that you suspect is the result of your job.

1. Medical Treatment

If a worker becomes ill or injured because of their work, they can choose to file a workers’ comp claim to receive assistance regarding paying for the medical treatment. Such assistance can help them to pay for:

• Medications Doctor’s appointments
• Therapy and rehabilitation
• Recovery equipment
• Hospital and emergency room visits

In some cases, an employee may require ongoing care to recover from a more severe illness or injury. Workers’ compensation usually covers such costs. But you should note that it may not cover certain kinds of alternative care like:

• Homeopathic medicine
• Acupuncture
• Naturopathic treatment

2. Disability Benefits

In several cases, a work-related illness or injury can result in long-term recovery. If a worker needs time off from work for recovery, workers’ comp can help recover a portion of the lost income until they are fit to return to work.

If a worker has a permanent disability, such compensation can offer them disability benefits throughout their lifetime. However, this benefit varies across the states. There are four categories under which a work-related disability usually falls:

• Permanent total disability
• Temporary total disability
• Permanent partial disability
• Temporary partial disability

3. Death Benefits

If a work-related illness or injury results in the loss of an employee’s life, the beneficiaries and family of the concerned individual can receive benefits from workers’ compensation. Such benefits will help them cover the lost income and funeral expenses. A majority of the coverage plans come with a limit for such expenses.

And this limit varies across states. It is worth noting that a particular insurance organization can deny expenses if they find them to be unnecessary or extravagant.

In a majority of the cases, benefits of workers’ compensation go to the dependents or immediate family members living with the deceased employee, such as a spouse, child, or sibling.

In Florida, if a work-related death takes place within 5 years after continuous disability or 1 year after the accident date, the deceased’s family may receive compensation. The compensation can include allowances for dependents, funeral expenses, and education benefits.

If a work-related illness or injury leads to another medical issue for the employee, workers’ compensation may be an option. At Carrillo Injury Law, we are ready to help you determine your next steps in the event of a workplace injury or illness. Reach out today by emailing office@carrilloinjurylaw.com.

Sources

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/workers-compensation.asp