Workers’ compensation benefits are often misunderstood. Most states require employers to carry a workers’ compensation insurance policy to make sure that employees are taken care of in the event of an on-the-job injury. If you’ve been injured at work, here’s what you should know.
What Benefits Are Included Under Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation insurance takes care of your medical bills and lost wages when you’re injured at work or become sick due to work conditions. Workers’ comp can cover short-term or temporary disability, as well as long-term or permanent. If you are unable to return to your former job, you may also receive vocational rehabilitation benefits. Should the worst happen, that your injury kills you, your surviving dependents may receive funeral benefits and some compensation for lost wages.
Who Is Eligible For Workers’ Compensation?
One requirement of workers’ comp is that you must be an employee of the business. If you are a contractor, you can’t receive worker’s comp benefits. The other requirement is that you were injured while doing work for your employer. The injury doesn’t have to happen at the employer’s property. If you are taking the bank deposit to the bank and get in an accident, workers’ comp should pay your medical bills.
You don’t even have to be on the clock to get workers’ comp. If you’re injured in the parking lot (owned by your employer) on your way into work, you are probably also eligible under workers’ comp. But you cannot get workers’ comp benefits for an accident that occurred on your commute or if you leave the office for lunch.
What To Do If You Are Injured at Work
The first thing to do is get medical treatment after an injury. Go to the emergency room or urgent care and tell them you were injured at work. You’ll need to give them your employer’s information. After you are safe, you need to make a report to a supervisor or manager at your job. Even if you’ve made an informal notification, you should follow up with a written document, email, paper or text. Your employer should tell you how to file a claim with their insurance company to receive benefits.
Workers’ compensation benefits are received as you go through the recovery process, which is one benefit over a personal injury case. If you believe that your employer or the insurance company is holding back or fighting against you, it’s a good idea to talk to a workers’ compensation attorney, like one of the Milwaukee workers compensation lawyers from Hickey & Turim, SC, who can help you receive the benefits you deserve.