All You Need to Know About Workers’ Compensation
Workers' compensation insurance provides vital benefits for employees who are hurt or become ill due to work. Most states require that businesses purchase this insurance even if they have only one employee.
In NJ, workers' comp benefits cover medical treatment, ongoing care, and payments to pay lost wages. In 2020, 75,800 workplace injuries and illnesses were reported by private industry employers in New Jersey. Out of the 75,800 private industry injury and illness cases reported, 54,200 were more serious, involving days away from work, job transfer, or restriction--commonly referred to as DART cases. In 2020, 54.300 (or 11.6%) of all the cases in private industry were injuries. Additional 21,400 cases were due to workplace illnesses.
What is Workers' Compensation?
Workers' compensation pays wages and medical care costs for those injured. Employers pay for workers comp. The fund doesn't have employees contributing.In NJ, workers' comp is only paid when the employer or insurer confirms that the injury/illness was work-related. A workers' compensation judge will decide on the case if the employer or insurer rejects the workers' comp claim. This compensation can pay for rehabilitation and injuries and compensate a family following a work-related loss.
What does Workers Comp Insurance cover?
Workers' compensation covers all medical expenses, including emergency surgery, medication, and hospital visits.? When an employee can't work because of a work-related injury or illness, lost wages can be partially covered.
? If the injury has caused permanent or partial disability, you may be eligible for disability benefits.
? Workers' compensation covers ongoing care costs such as physical therapy.
? Funeral costs and survivorship benefits are typically included in death benefits.
What does Workers' Compensation Insurance not cover?
Workers' compensation is available to all employees regardless of their work hours.There are, however, exclusions that could lead to a denied workers' compensation claim. These include:
? Workers comp does not cover commutes. They may be covered if a person is in a company vehicle or doesn't have physical work, such as a traveling salesperson.
? Intoxication and substance abuse: Compensation is often unavailable in many states if an injured person is under alcohol or other substances.
? Workers' compensation does not cover injuries sustained in a workplace fight. If the fight was related to work, there is an exception.
How to file a claim for workers' compensation
First, the employee must report work-related injury or illness to their employer to file a workers' compensation claim. If necessary, the employer must notify the state workers' compensation board and the insurance company.Additionally, the employer must report the employee's severe injuries to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Employees might need to present before the board to receive workers' compensation benefits.
Benefits for injured workers
Medical
All medical expenses are necessary and reasonable to treat an employee's illness or injury. It includes hospital bills, visits to a doctor, and medicine and prosthetic devices. You will also be reimbursed for mileage incurred to obtain medical treatment.Indemnity
Each day a worker misses work because of injury is a loss in wages. Workers' compensation insurance provides indemnity benefits to employees to cover lost income.The worker's weekly average wage is taken into account. Indemnity benefits are paid out as a percentage of the worker's income.
Death
If an employee dies due to a work-related illness or injury, the self-insured carrier pays weekly dependent compensation to the spouse or dependents.Workers' compensation pays a portion of the funeral and burial costs for an employee who has lost his life due to a work-related injury or illness.
An insurance company or self-insured employer might request copies of birth, marriage, death, and birth certificates from the dependents. Also, relevant divorce decrees may be requested by the claim filer.
Last Thoughts
Filing a claim is essential if you have a workers' comp policy and an employee is injured or becomes ill at work. This would assist your worker in paying for ongoing medical care costs. In addition, you can save money on legal fees if a worker is injured and files a suit against your company.Do You Need An Attorney?
If so, post a short summary of your legal needs to our site and let attorneys submit applications to fulfill those needs. No time wasted, no hassle, no confusion, no cost.
Posted - 09/30/2022
Connect with us:
Learn about us:
