How Workers’ Compensation Helps Injured Employees

How Workers' Compensation Helps Injured Employees

Employers in the United States are obliged to provide a healthy and safe working environment for employees. The workers’ compensation Maitland FL, system provides compensation for employers who are injured in the course of their job duties. 

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

All U.S. businesses with regular employees are required to carry a workers’ compensation policy that pays for medical care and other expenses in the event of a job-related injury or illness. These policies pay for both medical and rehabilitative care and additional expenses such as wages for missed work. Employers are not required to carry workers’ compensation insurance policies for contract workers. 

How Do You File a Claim?

The first step in filing a workers’ compensation claim is to report the injury or illness to a representative of the employer as soon as possible. In most cases, this would be an immediate supervisor. In many companies, the entire workers’ compensation process will be overseen by someone in human resources. The employer will make arrangements for the employee to receive immediate care and fill out the claim paperwork.

How Does Workers’ Compensation Pay?

When a workers’ compensation claim is filed, all medical care should be taken care of through that claim. The employee will not be asked to pay any out-of-pocket expenses, nor should they have to present their own insurance for payment.

Do I Need a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

While there is no requirement to retain the services of a lawyer to assist with a workers’ compensation claim, many experts do recommend it. Throughout the workers’ compensation process, the employee will be asked to sign legal documents and accounts of the accident and speak with insurance adjusters. Having a lawyer who understands the law can provide peace of mind and assure that all possible expenses connected with the incident, whether immediate or longer-term, will be covered.