Workers’ Comp Provides Benefits
If you become injured on the job and are unable to return to work for at least three days, your benefits may begin on the fourth day after the injury. The types of benefits you may receive include:
Medical payments.
Workers’ compensation insurance will pay for any medical costs related to the work injury. Additionally, once a doctor determines that the injured worker has reached maximum medical improvement, the worker is afforded 12 more doctor visits or another 60 days of care—whichever comes first.
Partial disability.
An injured worker who is not totally disabled will receive wages to compensate for lost time at work until he has reached maximum medical improvement and can return to work.
Total disability.
A worker who is totally incapacitated and unable to return to work permanently is eligible to receive 75 percent of his spendable base wage. Additional allowances may be made depending on history bonuses and commissions.
In addition, if an injured worker is killed in a work accident, workers’ comp also provides for surviving family members.
Employers should post their workers’ comp insurance provider in a visible place at your workplace. If a company is found without workers’ compensation insurance, criminal charges, fines, and jail time could apply.
Companies Exempt from Carrying Workers’ Comp Insurance
Most employers must carry workers’ comp insurance, but some are exempt, including:
- Sole proprietors
- Independent contractors
- Partners of a company
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