Under most states’ workers’ compensation systems, injured workers can receive benefits such as temporary disability pay, medical care, permanent disability and vocational rehab. The actual benefits vary depending on the case and upon state law. Read on for a brief explanation of the workers? compensation program.
Medical Benefits
An injured worker has the right to receive treatment to relieve or cure the effects of a work-related injury. Included in this program are prescriptions, medical bills and miles driven to and from the hospital. Under certain plans, a patient may be forced to use a company doctor for up to thirty days; after that, the patient can request to see a different physician.
Temporary Disability
If a person must take medical leave from work, the worker may be able to get temporary disability compensation, which provides the person with partial payment for lost wages. There are lower and upper limits to the rate of pay, but most people get about 2/3 of a week’s gross pay. After a doctor verifies that a person cannot work, a disability check should arrive within several weeks.
Permanent Disability
If a worker cannot recover from an injury, he or she can be compensated for permanent disability. The rate and amount paid depends on the limitations placed upon the worker’s activities, and age, earnings and occupation are also considered. The determination of complete disability can involve thousands of dollars, usually paid as compensation for future earnings.
Vocational Rehab and Return to Work
If a person is hurt at work and cannot return to his or her former job, they can get help as part of a workers’ compensation package. During vocational rehab, the worker is paid a partial income that typically has an upper limit. The payments can be given in lieu of an offer of a different job from the same employer. If an employee goes back to work and receives the same or more pay, workers’ compensation benefits will likely be stopped.
Workplace injuries are common, and employers are required to have workers? compensation insurance for this very reason. However, workers’ compensation claims don’t always go smoothly, and many require a lawyer’s expertise. If a worker suffers an on-the-job injury, he or she should have the case reviewed by Northfloridaautoaccidentlawyer.com.
For more updates, follow us on Facebook.
