Workers’ Compensation: What to Do After a Work-Related Injury

If you were injured on the job, or if you became sick as a result of work, you will probably be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is a mutually beneficial program that allows workers to be compensated for their injuries without filing a lawsuit against their employer, and it also allows the employer to save money that would be spent defending against costly lawsuit fees. However, if you do not have workers’ compensation, you will probably have to file a regular personal injury claim against your employer.

Requirements for Workers’ Compensation

In order to receive workers’ compensation, you must be injured on the job or become sick due to work. You must immediately inform your employer and have a medical examination done by an approved medical provider. You must then file a claim for workers’ compensation. If your employer agrees that your injury or illness is the result of your job, they will pay your claim. If the employer refuses to accept the claim, you can file an appeal with the state agency. They will decide if you will receive compensation or not.

Benefits

In addition to money, workers’ compensation provides other benefits. These benefits include cost of physical therapy, costs of prescription drugs, and compensation for money lost from taking time off of work. If a worker is killed on the job or from a job-related injury, the employee’s surviving dependents, such as spouse and children, will receive a death benefit based on the employee’s salary.

What If I Don’t Qualify?

There are some cases in which you will not qualify for workers’ compensation. For example, if your injury is a result of intoxication, you will not qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. Likewise, not all businesses are required to provide workers’ compensation. This is the case if a business has no employees, such as a business owned and run by one person. Furthermore, officers of a company have the option of receiving no workers’ compensation.

If you do not qualify for workers’ compensation or if your employer and the state agency deny your request, you will have to file a regular personal injury lawsuit against your employer. This is the only way that you could receive compensation, but by doing so, you might put your job at risk.

If you have been injured on the job or as a result of your job, you are probably entitled to workers’ compensation. You can talk to your employer about workers’ compensation and apply as soon as possible. If your employer refuses to pay workers’ compensation, you can appeal to the state agency that oversees workers’ compensation. If you do not qualify for workers’ compensation, you can contact a personal injury lawyer to help you sue your employer or make a case against whoever is responsible for your injuries.