What is Workers Compensation, and How Does it Work?

Injuries occur at work often, regardless of whether it’s at a construction site or an office. But how does workers compensation work?

Unfortunately, few understand the ins and outs of the law and insurance, and many find themselves frantically trying to catch up at the worst possible time—after an injury. Not only is it important to understand, how does workmans comp work, but how does a workers compensation claim work? Not only that, but what about trials? How does a workers comp settlement work?

At its most basic, workers compensation insurance helps to pay a worker’s medical expenses and the cost of rehabilitation. If an employee needs to miss work because of his or her injury, it can also provide for some lost wages. It may even cover death benefits, should an employee be killed during work.

How Does Workers Compensation Work for Employers?

Workers comp requirements and benefits do vary according to where the employees and the business are based, but most businesses are required to maintain coverage. The exception is often freelancers and sole proprietors, because they are only responsible for themselves. However, a policy can still be a good idea for these people, as it covers lost income in the event of an accident.

Making a Claim

How does workmans compensation work when it’s time to file a claim? First, it’s important to act right away by immediately reporting the incident to your employer. Not doing so risks passing the reporting period. Too late, and you might not be eligible to receive benefits.

Once the injury is reported, it’s time to:

• Visit the doctor. Immediate medical assistance is important. Not only can delays put your health at risk, but your benefits as well. It’s important to have a doctor provide a medical report alongside the employee’s claim of injury. Quicker treatment generally means greater evidence of a problem.
• Begin the claim process. It’s up to the employer to provide the employee with necessary forms, claim process information, and contact information for the insurance company.
• File the claim. The employee needs to file the claim with the insurance company. Pay careful attention to any deadlines. Include all required paperwork, medical reports, and forms.
• Receive the benefits. Once approved, the employee will start to receive benefits. These may cover the medical expenses, up to two-thirds of lost wages, and rehabilitation costs.
• Go back to work. Injured employees may return to work either full time or part time, according to the physician recommendation. Employers are responsible for providing reasonable accommodations during the employee’s transition. Safety training to prevent re-injury may also be necessary.

How Does Workmans Comp Work For Businesses?

No matter what safety policies are in place, there is always some risk of a workplace injury. Consider these figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• In 2016, there were 892,270 occupational injuries at non-government workplaces requiring a leave of absence from work
• The median absence lasted eight days

Because employers are responsible for worker injury, nearly every state requires businesses carry worker’s comp coverage. Without this insurance, businesses would have to pay from their own reserves not only for medical fees but also fines.

How Does Workers Comp Work as Part of an Overall Safety Strategy?

Having insurance is obviously not enough, and is only one part of the puzzle. There are a few simple things business owners can do to encourage a safe work environment and help prevent injury:

• Develop and promote safety training. Safety training should be thorough, regular, and cover every aspect of the worker’s job.
• Have an open door policy. An open door policy means that an employee feels comfortable voicing concerns to their employer. While these concerns can be about anything, having a workforce that feels confident that their safety concerns will be heard ensures that you know what’s going wrong before an injury happens.
• Make sure your employees understand their plan. Ask each of your employees, “How does workers compensation work?” Now that you know the details, share them. Distribute plan information. Ensure new hires receive a thorough explanation, and refresh existing employees.

Determine Whether a Workers Comp Lawyer is Right For You With a Free Consultation

If you think you may have a workers comp case, it’s important to act fast. Many injured employees feel uncomfortable talking about their injuries, or are concerned that talking with a lawyer can be very expensive. These are legitimate concerns to have, but it’s important to understand that not having proper legal counsel can cost you lost compensation, or even losing a trial itself.

In fact, it’s possible to get a free case evaluation. Davis & Sanchez offers you:

• Over 30 minutes of on-on-one time with on of our highly-skilled, winning attorneys with core values
• Insight on workers compensation law so you can know quickly and discreetly whether you have a case
• Peace of mind with objective information to allow you to determine whether an attorney is the right choice for you

It’s important to act quickly, and choose a competent team you can trust. Davis & Sanchez are only workers comp lawyers, so you can trust that they provide the height of excellent, knowledgeable service, and the dedication needed to help you win. Get on the path to benefits and fair compensation with a free consultation today with Davis & Sanchez. We have top workers comp attorneys in Utah & the best workers comp lawyers in Idaho. Feel free to reach out and get the help you deserve.