If you got hurt while doing job-related duties, you may have incurred accident-related losses like medical bills, lost wages, and mental anguish. However, you shouldn’t pay for these expenses alone. Most employers are legally required to buy workers’ compensation insurance policy to financially cushion employees against medical expenses if they get injured while doing their jobs. Moreover, employees do not need to pursue a lawsuit or prove fault to be reimbursed because the benefits are meant to protect you and your employer from costly legal cases. If anything feels confusing, look for a workers’ compensation attorney in your area, they can help to answer your hard hitting questions.
Medical Coverage
After filing a claim, many injured employees receive medical coverage. These benefits cover expenses of treating employees for occupational injuries or illnesses. It includes fees for hospital treatment, doctor appointments, nursing care, physical therapy, and medications. The benefits also cover medical diagnostic tests and medical equipment like crutches. You should be financially covered until you fully recover and resume your job. However, you must see the right doctor who is authorized under the policy to qualify for medical benefits.
Disability
If you become disabled due to a job-related injury, and cannot continue earning an income, you may qualify for disability benefits. These benefits are categorized into:
- Temporary total – This is when an employee becomes completely disabled by the injury and can’t do their job-related duties for a brief period. For example, if you injure your back and can’t do your duties for seven weeks but will heal and perform full duties after those weeks, you will receive the benefits during your disability period, and are based on your average weekly wage.
- Temporary partial – This occurs when an employee is partly disabled from a short-term injury. For example, an employee fractures their arm and can only do their duties on a part-time basis as their arm heals. The employee is paid for tasks they can do, and a percentage of the difference between their normal pay and reduced pay.
- Permanent total – This is when an employee sustains a permanent injury which can never be cured. Therefore, the employee can’t earn an income by doing duties they used to do before the accident. The employee receives a percentage of their weekly wage their whole lives.
- Permanent partial – This happens when an employee has been permanently injured and cannot earn as much as they used to before the accident happened. For example, when an employee becomes hearing-impaired.
Rehabilitation
Many states offer vocational rehabilitation for employees who cannot return to their jobs due to their injuries. Which is important coverage considering they are not able to work. In addition, if an employee suffers from mental anguish because of the accident, they can access psychological rehabilitation. This is a helpful program to help employees get back on their feet. Allowing them to focus on their health instead of worrying about work.
Death
If an employee dies in a job-related accident, the death benefits will be paid to all his or her dependents, including the spouse and their children. Death benefits cover burial and funeral costs. This is helpful to allow the family to grieve for their loved one. These types of situations can get expensive so having these benefits are great to keep families afloat instead of worry about costs.
Conclusion
If you want to seek benefits after a job-related injury, you should contact an attorney to help you get some or all the benefits that you qualify for. The attorney will look out for you and alleviate your stress as you recover at home or in hospital. They will help you deal with the paperwork, so you won’t have to worry about a thing. A trusted legal team will always have your back.