Filing a worker’s compensation claim can be a very difficult process for a lot of people. They may not know where to begin, or they just have a ton of questions before going through the process. Some of the most common questions are listed below, with answers to make things a bit more straightforward.
Defining Worker’s Compensation
Worker’s Compensation helps to protect workers from any extremely high costs when it comes to dangerous problems at work. Most people will look for Worker’s Compensation insurance from their business to make sure that they are protected as much as possible. This helps to protect businesses, but employees obviously benefit as well.
What does Worker’s Compensation cover?
Every policy is different, but Worker’s Compensation usually covers medical expenses, any lost wages, care cost that can last a long time, and even funeral expenses. Every single case is slightly different, so it really comes down to what is needed for the individual in the family. The best way to find out is to ask about workers compensation claims at HR, or call the hotline within a specific state.
What is generally not covered by Worker’s Compensation?
Injuries caused by basic work is covered, but injuries due to erratic behavior or something not related to work is not. That means if two employees get in a fight, that injury is not going to be covered. The same goes for anyone who shows up to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Anything that is gaming the system is not going to be covered, and a person could end up facing a lawsuit of their own.
Are businesses required to carry Worker’s Compensation insurance?
In just about every state in United States, Worker’s Compensation insurance is required by law for businesses to carry. Only Texas and New Jersey make it elective.
How difficult is the filing process for a Worker’s Compensation claim?
Companies have done a good job of ensuring that the entire process is a straightforward possible for all individuals.
This is to avoid any pushback from employees, and to make this time easier for everyone involved. It’s important for the employee to file as soon as possible to get everything started in a timely manner.
Gather as much information as possible before filing a claim. The more information provided in the beginning, the better off everyone will be. Every state is a little bit different, but having information such as the name of the company, the employee injured, and any incident details will be sufficient.
In just about any state, there is a time allowed to file a claim. Try to get on top of it as quickly as possible, as that will prevent any delays from occurring.
A final word on Worker’s Compensation claims
It’s intimidating to file for the first time, but worker’s conversation is there for a reason. Staying safe involves counting on this benefit that a lot of businesses provide. Instead of running the risk of a severe issue, it is there to help out.
