Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ Compensation laws are designed to protect employees who are injured on the job. Under workers’ compensation laws, an employer is responsible for any injuries sustained by their “on-the-clock” employees, regardless of whether or not the employer is responsible for causing those injuries (see What is Strict Liability?).
The amount of money workers’ compensation provides an injured employee varies from state to state, but usually covers medical expenses, workforce rehabilitation costs and a percentage of lost wages. Disability pay may be temporary or permanent based on the extent of your injury and is usually ½ – ¾ of your pre-injury salary.
While workers’ compensation covers 100% of your medical expenses, you may not be able to choose where you receive medical care. Depending on the state that you live in, you may have to receive medical care from an employer approved physician.
Hearings for workers’ compensation take place in workers’ compensation courts, which differ from the civil court system. For this reason, if you are having trouble collecting workers’ compensation from your employer, it is important to hire an attorney who thoroughly understands the workers’ compensation system and has experience handling workers’ compensation cases.
While injured workers are typically unable to sue employers for damages under workers’ compensation, situations exist where an employer’s gross negligence demands further legal action. A qualified workers’ compensation attorney can inform you of your legal rights and provide you with the advice you need to make informed decisions about your case.
Filing a workers’ compensation claim involves many steps and can be complicated. There are also certain deadlines you must meet in order to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Hiring an experienced attorney is the best way to ensure that you get the benefits you need after being injured on the job.
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