Work-related injuries and illnesses can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating. However, workers’ compensation coverage is designed to provide crucial support in such challenging times. Discover the various benefits included in workers’ compensation coverage, ensuring that you understand your rights and the assistance available to you.
- Comprehensive Medical Treatment Coverage: One of the primary benefits of workers’ compensation is the coverage it provides for necessary medical treatment. Whether it’s emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, doctor’s visits, physical therapy, psychological therapy, prescription medication, or medical devices such as wheelchairs or walkers, workers’ compensation ensures that you receive the medical care you require without the burden of financial constraints.
- Protection Against Lost Wages: Apart from medical expenses, workers’ compensation also addresses the financial losses you may experience due to time away from work. If your doctor determines that you are unable to work while recovering, you may be eligible for lost wages payments. This coverage is categorized as either Temporary Total Disability (TTD) or Temporary Partial Disability (TPD), depending on the extent of your limitations.
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD): If you are entirely unable to perform your job during recovery, you can receive compensation at a percentage (usually 66 2/3%) of your average weekly earnings.
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): If you have limitations on the work you can perform during recovery and experience reduced pay, your employer must provide weekly compensation at a percentage (usually 66 2/3%) of the difference between your earnings before and after the accident.
- Permanent Disability Benefits: In cases where severe work-related injuries or illnesses result in a permanent disability that prevents you from returning to work, workers’ compensation can provide permanent disability benefits. These benefits are calculated similarly to temporary disability benefits but apply for an extended period, acknowledging the long-term impact on your ability to work.
- Coverage for Common Workplace Accidents and Injuries: Workers’ compensation applies to a wide range of workplace accidents and injuries. Some of the most common causes include overexertion, slip/trip and fall incidents, falls from heights, being struck by equipment or objects, motor vehicle accidents, and repetitive motion injuries. Regardless of the nature of the accident, as long as it occurred while performing job duties and your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, you are entitled to benefits.
- Occupational Illnesses: Workers’ compensation also covers occupational illnesses, which may arise from prolonged exposure to hazardous conditions or repetitive tasks. Examples include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, stress injuries, diseases from toxin exposure, hearing loss, respiratory diseases, and even psychological distress. Proving these illnesses can be more challenging, but with the right evidence and legal support, you can seek compensation for the long-term effects caused by your work environment.
Workers’ compensation coverage provides vital support for individuals facing work-related injuries and illnesses. From comprehensive medical treatment coverage to protection against lost wages and compensation for permanent disabilities, it aims to alleviate the financial burdens associated with workplace incidents. Remember, whether you experience immediate injuries or long-term health problems due to your work, workers’ compensation is designed to assist you in managing these challenges.
If a workplace accident or illness has affected you or a loved one, you need legal counsel when filing for your workers’ compensation. Even when you have a justified claim, many employers try to avoid paying an injured or sick employee.
The lawyers at OnderLaw know the tactics that employers use, and we will fight back so you can get the compensation you need.
However, you must act quickly because you may only have 30 days to file a workers’ compensation claim after an accident or the diagnosis of an illness.
Contact OnderLaw today to start work on your workers’ compensation case.
