Did you know that workers’ compensation offers a range of benefits that can help employees get the care they need? Workers’ compensation can help injured employees get the treatment they need to recover and get back to work, from prescription drug coverage to dental and vision care. Here we will discuss the top five benefits of workers’ compensation.
Compensation for Employees
Workers’ comp compensates injured or ill workers. Typically, state governments administer it as part of their overall social welfare system. Employees injured or who became sick on the job may be eligible for medical and financial benefits under workers’ compensation programs. The benefits include medical expenses, income replacement, and death benefits.
In addition, many states have programs that provide vocational rehabilitation and other services to help injured workers return to the workforce.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
- Medical Benefits
Medical cover is one of the essential benefits of workers’ compensation. This benefit reimburses employees for medical treatment and related expenses. The medical benefits of workers’ compensation are extensive. Workers’ compensation can help employees recover from injuries and illnesses, and it can also help them maintain their quality of life. Medical benefits of workers’ compensation can provide coverage for necessary medical treatments and procedures related to an on-the-job injury or illness. Most states have specific laws that define what medical treatments are covered under workers’ compensation. Still, most programs will generally cover the cost of necessary treatment, including surgeries, hospital stays, and prescription medications.
- Income replacement
Workers’ compensation typically replaces a portion of an employee’s income when they cannot work. Income replacement benefits from workers’ compensation can get obtained in various ways.
The most common is a temporary total disability, which pays a percentage of the employee’s income for a set amount of time. Some states also offer permanent total disability, which produces a portion of the employee’s revenue for the rest of their life. Other benefits include death benefits.
- Death Benefits
When a worker is killed or suffers an on-the-job injury that leads to death, workers’ compensation benefits may be available to the survivors. Workers’ compensation provides death benefits to the families of workers killed. The use varies from state to state, but it is generally a percentage of the worker’s average weekly wage. In most states, the worker’s spouse or children are eligible to receive the death benefit. Some states also provide benefits to the parents of the worker. The following are some of the benefits that may be available:
1. Funeral expenses: The workers’ compensation insurance company will usually pay for the funeral expenses.
2. Death benefits: A surviving spouse may be entitled to receive death benefits, a monthly payment designed to help the spouse maintain their standard of living.
3. Children’s benefits: Minor children of a deceased worker may be entitled to receive benefits until they reach adulthood.
- Vocational Rehabilitation
Vocational rehabilitation benefits are intended to assist injured workers in resuming work. These benefits can include job placement assistance, on-the-job training, and financial assistance for education or training. Vocational rehabilitation benefits can be an essential part of the workers’ compensation. There are many different types of vocational rehabilitation, and each one can be a great help to those with disabilities who want to work. Vocational rehabilitation can provide job placement assistance, training, counseling, etc. It is essential to find the right type of rehabilitation for your needs and work with an experienced team to help you reach your goals.
What is the procedure for filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
When an employee is injured, they must immediately file a workers’ compensation claim. By filing a claim, the employee can obtain the medical care and financial assistance they require while unable to work. To begin a workers’ compensation claim, an employee must:
- Notify their employer of the injury immediately.
- Seek medical attention for their injury
- Complete a workers’ compensation claim form
- Please submit the form to their employer
- Receive approval for their claim from their employer
This article discussed four benefits that you may not have known about. If you have been injured on the job, visit us at San Gabriel Workers’ Compensation Attorney or call us at 626-602-9483 to learn more about your rights and how we can help you.