Injuries inevitably occur in daily and demanding jobs, and when faced with high treatment costs, there is a worker’s benefit – workers’ compensation. Here we will take you through the types of workers’ compensation and provide you with benefit protection.
What is workers compensation？
Workers’ compensation, often abbreviated to workers’ compensation, is a program that provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill on the job, providing additional assistance by easing the financial burden of a work-related injury.
What does workers’ compensation include?
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers four major disability compensation programs available to federal workers (or their dependents) and other specified groups who are injured on the job or suffer from an occupational disease:
wage replacement benefits
medical treatement
vocational rehabilitation
Other benefits
Other specific groups include:
Federal Employees Compensation Plan
Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Scheme
Federal Black Lung Program
Energy Workers Occupational Disease Compensation Scheme
What are your rights in workers’ compensation?
Benefits: You can ask your employer to provide wage replacement benefits, health care, vocational rehabilitation, and other benefits based on the severity of your injury or illness.
Employer Responsibility: Employers are responsible for paying workers’ compensation insurance. This helps ensure that injured workers receive the care they need without having to sue their employer.
Employee Rights: If your employer neglects your rights, you may be able to sue your employer in exchange for workers’ compensation benefits.
What injuries are eligible for workers’ compensation?
Workers’ compensation covers countless types of injuries. According to OSHA and the National Safety Council (NSC), some of the most common problems include:
Muscle sprains, strains and tears
fracture
Cuts, lacerations and puncture wounds
Repetitive strain or stress injuries (RSI), such as carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and back pain
Slips, Trips and Falls
OSHA also lists the “Big Four” incidents that most often result in workplace fatalities:
electrocution
Being crushed or stuck by an object
Being struck by an object or device
decline
Types of injuries not covered by workers’ compensation
Not all types of injuries are covered by workers’ compensation. These injuries include incidents in which you or the person responsible for your injury acted outside the scope of your job. In this case, a personal injury attorney may recommend that you file a civil lawsuit against the person who caused your injury.
Such situations include:
When an employee who is drunk or under the influence of drugs triggers the incident.
Self-injury (for example, if the injured person got into a fight with a co-worker).
The employee engaged in illegal activity.
The employee was not on duty when he was injured.
The employee ignored safety rules or company policies.
One party intentionally causes harm to another party.
Suggestions and precautions for you:
Seeking compensation for a workplace-related injury or illness can be difficult due to employer liability. You don’t have to go through this difficult time alone, you can seek the help of an attorney who can help you schedule a free, no-obligation meeting to review your case (this article only)
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