Workers who are injured at work are likely entitled to workers’ compensation. Almost all employers are required by their state to provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage, but receiving benefits is sometimes a complex, time consuming process.
Report Injuries Right Away
Employers cannot file a workers' compensation claim with their insurance company unless they are aware of the accident. Sometimes, workers report accidents, but are unaware that they are injured. Many employees will try to power through the work day because they plan on taking it easy at home. Their injuries may appear in the evening or next morning, causing them to seek medical attention instead of going to work. In this …show more content…
State safety and health administration departments track time loss numbers, which directly increases the employer’s workers' compensation insurance rates. Instead, OSHA encourages workers to return to work as soon as possible through light, modified and alternative duty programs. These beneficial solutions allow injured workers to maintain their dignity, working schedule and lifestyle consistency. Injured workers should ask their doctor to release them to work with restrictions. Be aware that doctors dislike having to fill out the paperwork, which requires them to specify which work actions and motions are allowed.
Learn About Your State’s Workers Comp Laws
Almost all states require employers to maintain workers' compensation insurance. In exchange for coverage, most of these state prohibit employees from suing their employers over work related injuries.
Workers’ compensation laws state that employees do not have to prove that employer negligence caused the injury. In fact, negligent employees who caused their own injuries will most likely be compensated. However, workers’ compensation laws are sometimes vague, so certain employers may seek to have certain claims denied because of gross negligence, such as failure to follow safety