Employees Should Discover how Workers Compensation Operates

Written By: Tim Franks on February 4, 2010 No Comment

Until the early part of the 20th century, workers in the United States had few options if they were injured on their jobs. Somebody who has hurt while working or became ill because of working conditions could sue the employer, but most often the employers would win lawsuits. This reality led to the establishment of protection called workers compensation

Worker’s compensation refers to a state-run insurance program that protects most of workers should an on-the-job injury or an illness that results from working conditions. Exempted from this coverage are agricultural workers including farm owners and crop harvesters; domestic employees such as maids, housekeepers, butlers and the like; independent contractors of any sort; and employees of small businesses with five or fewer workers.

The value of Worker’s Compensation programs is that they assure employees they will receive guaranteed monetary benefits. In exchange for this assurance, call a “compensation bargain (contract)” or “exclusive remedy, ” workers give up the right to sue their employers over on-the-job injuries, as well as the employers give up the right to cut back on compensation if a worker is injured through his or her own fault.

If a worker is seriously injured or ill, worker’s compensation also will pay for vocational rehabilitation such as physical therapy or training for a different job. Some programs also pay workers for loss of future earnings, if the injury prevents them from continuing in a higher-paying occupation than they can pursue because of a disability. If a worker is killed on the job, the program pays funeral costs and survivors may receive benefits to replace the deceased’s lost wages.

If injured on the job, or made ill by toxins or working conditions, it’s important that workers report the injury and file worker’s compensation claims immediately. managers and supervisors should offer workers claims forms to fill out. it may also be wise to consult an attorney who specializes in worker’s compensation law, if the worker suspects the employer or the insurance company could challenge his or her claim.

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