Accidents are common in the workplace, especially in manufacturing. That is one of the major reasons why employers should provide a safe environment for their workers.
Workers’ compensation comes to the rescue of a worker who has been injured while performing a work-related duty. This compensation helps workers recover all the losses they have experienced due to the accident.
Suppose you are injured in a workplace accident, then it is necessary to consult a workers’ compensation lawyer who can help you with the legal proceedings.
Before consulting, you should understand the benefits available in a workers’ compensation claim. Read on to find out what they are.
What is Workers’ Compensation?
Worker’s compensation is the insurance coverage that compensates workers for the losses and damages they have suffered in the workplace. Employers in all sectors and industries are required to possess worker’s compensation protection.
The worker can recover medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses, and lost income if they were injured in an accident in the workplace.
Types of Worker’s Compensation Benefits
There are different benefits available for injured workers. Suppose their injury impacts their ability to work, then they can recover the disability benefits through workers’ compensation. These disability benefits come into four categories:
Temporary Partial Disability
In temporary partial disability, the employee’s injuries prevent them from performing their regular work for a specific period of time, but they can still work. In this situation, the employee is only partly disabled by the injury.
Temporary Total Disability
If the employee is severely injured, then they will not be able to work for an extended period of time. In this scenario, the injured employee is eligible for temporary total disability from the employer. Most of the states follow some time limit on temporary total disability.
For instance, if the employee’s injuries make them unable to work for 4 weeks, they will receive disability benefits for four weeks.
Permanent Partial Disability
This is applicable if the employee has sustained any permanent injuries from the workplace accident. Take hearing loss as an example. If the loss of hearing prevents an employee from earning as much as they used to, they are eligible for permanent partial disability.
Permanent partial disabilities are issued to compensate for permanent impairments like the one mentioned above. Some states have limitations. The duration for which the employee will get these benefits depends on:
- The body part that was disabled;
- The percentage of disability; and
- The maximum number of weeks the state allows benefits for that body part.
Permanent Total Disability
This is applicable if the employee has sustained a permanent injury or a condition whose impact will be with them for the rest of their life. The employee’s ability to earn is affected in these types of injuries. Only severe injuries are considered for permanent total disability.
Suppose the employee loses their eyesight or limbs; then they are eligible to receive disability benefits. Each state has different rules for permanent total disability benefits.
Worker’s Compensation Death Benefits
Most states offer benefits to the family members of those who lost their lives in a workplace accident. This is mainly because the surviving family member(s), like a spouse or children, were financially dependent on the deceased employee.
The surviving family member can claim the following benefits:
- Funeral and burial expenses; and
- Loss of financial support.
Final Thoughts
We hope our blog post has helped you become aware of the worker compensation benefits.
As useful as they are, some employers may complicate the process. In such situations, one should seek the services of an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer.
The lawyer will provide the guidance necessary to make sure that the victim receives the compensation they deserve.
Guest Writer
