Workers Compensation Benefits

Workers Compensation is a benefit supplied to employees who are injured or disabled while on the job. The concept came about in the early 1900's due to the boom in industrial jobs. Responsibilities became more dangerous when workers started dealing with heavy machinery and hazardous conditions. The United States took the lead from Europe and created the workers compensation system to handle the process of being hurt on the job.

The system is regulated by federal and state law. Federal law handles federal employees and individual state laws handle non federal employees. The state will determine if workers compensation is required for organizations. If it is, the employer is mandated to provide their employee with the coverage.

The process starts with employers paying a monthly premium to a worker's compensation insurance agency. In the event of an injury, the employee must notify their employer as soon as possible. The employer then submits a claim to their insurance agency who handles the case from there. The insurance agency provides a doctor or provider, preselected by the agency or employer, to examine and treat the hurt employee. The doctor will determine the extent of the injury and the insurance agency is responsible for providing the medical coverage and wages to the injured employee.

The employee will continue on Temporary Total Disability (TTD) until the authorized treating physician (workers compensation doctor) releases them. They could be sent back to work under restricted circumstances or they could be put on Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) if it is determined that no further treatment will improve their condition. If the injured employee does not get better while on MMI, then they could be a candidate for Permanent Partial Disability (PPD). The benefit phase that the employee is in determines how much they receive in coverage. Although it varies from state to state, the average wage amount received is two thirds of your salary.

Whether governed by federal or state, the employee benefits from having medical expenses, lost wages, and money for any permanent injuries covered. The employer, on the other hand, benefits from protection against a law suit and having to possibly cough up large payouts. The employer has been paying into their insurance company so they do not have to suddenly come up with an unexpected sum of money.

A good tip for any injured employee is to consider reaching out for legal support before you even file the workers compensation claim. Laws can be tricky, especially ones that vary from state to state. And, insurance agencies do not always have the best interest of the injured in mind. It is their money they are paying out so they can be very hesitant to do so. It is always helpful to have the knowledge of an attorney experienced in these types of cases. Workers Compensation lawyers will walk you through the process and ensure that you get all the money and support that you deserve.

So, overall, the workers compensation system that the United States has in place has helped standardize the process of a work place injury. When followed correctly it benefits both the injured employee and the employer. If you are an unfortunate victim of a work place injury do your research and seek legal advice to ensure the process is followed correctly.