Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that is mandated by the state. It is purchased by employers as a way to cover the costs of payments that are made to an employee if he or she becomes injured while on the job and can no longer work.
Although the amount of money that an employee will receive as a payment through workers’ comp is a relatively small amount, the insurance does cover other costs that the employee might incur. As an example, workers’ comp covers the medical care that the employee receives due to his or her injuries. This may include doctor visits, x-rays, surgery and even follow-up medical care if it is needed.
If the employee is deemed to have permanent injuries due to his or her accident at work, workers’ comp may assist in paying the costs for the employee’s retraining if he or she is unable to return to his or her previous position or could provide compensation if he or she is no longer able to work at all. If the employee is actually killed on the job, workers’ comp may even provide benefits to the employee’s remaining family members.
Although workers’ comp benefits can assist an employee who has become injured while on the job, it is important to realize that if he or she chooses to collect benefits through workers comp this will prohibit him or her from suing his or her employer later on. While the benefits do cover many things, they will not cover any pain or suffering that remains.
Individuals who have been injured on the job may find it beneficial to learn more about their legal rights as they pertain to their own personal situation.
Source: FindLaw, “Workers’ Comp Benefits Explained,” accessed May. 20, 2015