Using Workers' Compensation Insurance

Using workers' compensation insurance will help if you're hurt on the job

Using workers' compensation insurance, sometimes referred to as "workers comp," is necessary if you're in independent contractor or if you have employees. These laws provide benefits for you or an employee who sustains an injury at work. These laws assure that if you’ll receive appropriate medical care, reimbursement for lost wages, and, if necessary, rehabilitation and retraining to return to work.

Most workers injured on the job recover quickly, and beyond filing an initial injury report to qualify them for benefits, require no significant detailed information of workman's comp insurance systems. Those seriously injured may benefit by talking with a labor attorney. State laws and statutes have jurisdiction in many aspects of the case, including:

1. The handling of claims and the eligibility requirements to receive benefits under workman comp insurance;

2. The evaluation of the extent of the injury and dispute settlement regarding workman's compensation insurance;

3. The amount of compensation and benefit that the injured worker should receive.

 

Know your benefits when you file a claim for workers comp insurance

The primary benefits of workman's comp include reimbursement for lost wages, payment of medical and/or rehabilitative care and, in some instances, death benefits. In regards to lost wages, workers compensation provides for lost wages for temporary or permanent disability. Each state has its own regulations regarding the eligibility, claim process and benefit compensation.
Try: WorkersCompensation.com allows you to click on your state for benefits information tailored to your specific location. In some instances, you or your employee may need a case manager. The State of Vermont website details when that may be necessary.

Assess the work related injury and file a claim with workers compensation insurance companies

To file a claim for workman's comp insurance benefits, the injury must occur while working. For example, workman's comp insurance does not cover an injury that occurs while the employee is on the premises taking a lunch break.
Try: To see if an injury sustained while working can be claimed under workman's comp laws, look at the examples of injuries covered in the ABA Family Legal Guide at FindLaw. Another excellent resource for workman's comp issues and claim filing information is the State Workers' Compensation Agency, which lists workmen's comp insurance information for each state.

Transition back to work after a workers comp claim

When it's time to return to work, you or your employee can return to the original job or a similar position held prior to the injury. Medical clearance provided by the treating doctor may require restricted work for a while. Take advantage of programs that can help you or your employee ease back into the workplace for a smooth transition.
Try: Risk and Insurance Solutions features an article about the benefits to employers and employees when an employee returns to the jobsite after a workers comp claim. The article on InjuryBoard emphasizes the importance of working with a doctor to ensure a safe transition back into the workplace.

 

• Have your physician completely fill out the medical claim forms necessary for your workers comp insurance claim. This will avoid any delay in processing your claim and accessing your funds.

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