Workers’ compensation can be one of the most important benefits afforded to employees. It covers employees for work-related injuries, giving employees faith that if they are injured at work, they will not be left to fend for themselves. This is particularly important for workers whose occupations involve dangerous machinery, equipment or operations, such as construction workers. Workers’ compensation laws can vary by state, but there are some useful tidbits of information to know when dealing with the process.
An article from FindLaw offers a thorough explanation of workers’ comp, including what is and is not covered, expenses that the insurance covers and many other questions workers may have. Perhaps the best news for employees is that almost all employees are covered from almost any type of injury with only few exceptions. For example, states can test injured employees for signs of foreign substances and deny them benefits if the tests reveal that the employee was injured while under the influence.
Workers’ compensation covers many different expenses, including medical care, compensation for permanent injuries, replacement income and even benefits for those an employee leaves behind if the employee is killed on the job. It also covers long-term injuries that built up over years of exposure to a certain kind of work, such as back problems from a particular type of work-related movement.
Many people have their own doctors whom they prefer to see, but unfortunately most cases of workers’ comp require you to see a doctor that your employer has already agreed to pay. It may please you to know, however that your employer cannot fire you or discourage you from taking advantage of workers’ comp, so you need not fear retaliation. Again, this is only a general overview of workers’ comp. Legal counsel that resides in New York can help you better understand our state’s specific laws and ensure you receive the maximum compensation that you deserve.
