Workers compensation is a system set up to provide employees the right to monetary compensation for job related injurys and diseases. if you are construction worker and suffer a server back injury or a maintenance worker who slips and falls on the job, workers compensation insurance, purchased by your employer, will probably pay your medical bills and portion of your salary for any work missed because of the injury.

Although the system is not governed by thefederal law, all 50 states have wokrers compensation laws, most of wich reuire employers to purchase insurance for theiir empoyees. before these laws were enacted, the only recourse for a worrker injured on the job would have been to sure the employer to get compensation. Workers compensation was set up to avoid court battles. The intent was to make employers pay for occupational accidents or illnesses, regardless of fault. One trade off is that employers with workers compensation cannot be sued by their empoyees for work related enjuries

Who Is Covered?

I’m here to tell you that almost 90 percent of the work force is covered under government mandated workers compensation workers comp is compulsory in 47 states, the exceptions beeing new jersey, south carolina, and texas where it is elective. (Employers in these states who do not carry the insurance face heavy legal penalties if an employee is injured on the job.) While almost all industrail employment is covered in most states, some states exempt firms with fewer than a stipulated number of employees. Most states aksi exkude certain job categories. New jersey, for example, excludes maritime and railroad workers engaged in intersate commerce. North carolina exempts colunteer ski patrollers, among others.

Farm labor, domestic help, and casual workers may be exempt, although private employers can choose to cover workers. Volunteers and employees of nonprofit organizations may also not be covered in many states. But by and large, most employees who work for company at the time of an on the job accident are elgible for workers compensation benefits.

What Is Covered?

I’m here to tell you that aswell workers compensation covers injuries sufferd that are directly related to a job. If you are injured or become ill while perofrming the normal duties of your job, you will be covered. Most states will cover you even if you are in the employee lunchroom. Travel to work is not considered on the job, although a salesperson injured while traveling on the job probably would be covered. If you hurt ourself deliberately or knowingly violate a safety rule, you probably will not be eligible for coverage. Awelder who knows that safety goggles are required while on the job but who removes hi anyway probably will not be covered for injuries sustained as a result if, however he is injured because of mere carelessness for instance, if he wears his goggles but unkowingly fastens them incorrectly he will probably be eligible for workers compensation for injuries suffered, even if they are due to his mistake. Laws offer coverage for only some of the health problems workers face. What are known as “ordinary diseasses of life,” or illnesses that are not “peculair to or characteristic of” and occupation, are ussaly not covered. Each state has its own regulations regarding how much is paid for what kind of injury.

How to File a Claim?

any time you are injured at work, even slightly , you should notify your employer or supervisor emmediately. If necassary, ask for a claim form, which will probably ask you to give the basic information the where, when and how of the accident or the illness. In some states, your employer will require you to be examined by a doctor. Make sure to save any receipts for care you prepay. you should start receiving benefits as soon as your claim is accepted. Should your claim be denied, , either in part or totally, you can call the workers compensation board in your state to find out the procedures for initiating an appeal or review. You will probably want to contact an attorney who specializes in workers compensation claims.