Whether you are an employer giving workers compensation benefits or an employee in the process of receiving these benefits, you are bound to have a few questions. While many people know what worker's compensation is, they don't necessarily have an understanding of how it works or who is eligible for it. Fortunately, the confusion can be cleared up right now. If you just keep reading, you will discover the answers to many of the questions people have been asking about workers compensation for a long time.
Who is Eligible for Workers Compensation?
Anyone who is injured on the job may be entitled to workers compensation benefits. However, there are a few restrictions. To begin with, you must actually be employed by the company you were performing the work for at the time of your injury. This means that anyone who works from home or who does independent contracting is not eligible for these benefits. Of course, your injury must have happened while you were actually on the job. For instance, if you are out in the parking lot coming into work and you slip and fall, you may not be able to qualify for workers compensation. However, if you are in the warehouse lifting heavy boxes and you strain or break your back, that would be grounds to file a claim, especially if your illness or injury has the potential to keep you from working for a while.
Do Employers Have to Provide Workers Compensation?
In most cases, yes, all employers are required to offer workers compensation benefits to their employees. However, the regulations for each company differs by state. Small businesses may be exempt from offering this insurance in some states, but in others, they may have to offer it. In order to find out if you are required to provide this coverage to your employees in the event of an accident, check with your state's Department of Labor to determine exactly what the rules and regulations are.
Can You Use Your Own Doctor?
Depending on the laws created by the state in which you had your injury, you may not be able to go see your own doctor for anything relating to your workers compensation claim. In most cases, the state will probably want you to use their doctors, who will then offer evidence in your favor or against your case so that a determination of the severity of the injury can be made. Once this is determined, the state can decide whether or not it will extend benefits to you, and what sort of benefits you will get.
What Sort of Benefits Can You Get?
Depending on what sort of injury or illness you sustained, the type of benefits you get in your workers compensation deal will vary greatly. You may qualify for a solely medical benefit that will help cover any expenses contributing to your recovery. You may qualify for temporary disability benefits if you have to take an extended time off work to recover, or you can get permanent disability benefits if the extent of your injuries is so great that you can never gainfully work again.
While these are just a few of the questions that people ask about workers compensation, they are the most important ones to address. Now that you have the answers to these questions, hopefully you have a better understanding of how the system works, what it offers, and whether or not you are required to carry it or if you will be eligible for it.
For more information, contact Bisogno & Meyerson or a similar law firm.
