What Is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation is insurance that all employees have from employers. The objective of this insurance is to provide blanket coverage to any employee who has an accident and sustains injuries while on the job. In addition, this compensation also covers diseases contracted while on the job. 

Workers’ compensation laws across the United States cover most occupations when the employee is hurt on the job. The basis for this insurance is to provide a partial loss of income until the employee can return to work. In addition, compensation offers a host of benefits to all employees injured while performing their job description. Employers are obligated to ensure that the injured worker receives money to cover the loss of wages due to their injuries.  

The qualifications for receiving workers’ compensation are as follows.

• Most injuries or illness is covered under workers’ compensation. However, injuries must be related to the job description of the employee. There are limitless ways an employee can become injured on the job. Some examples are as follows. 
• Back injuries while lifting as part of a job description
• Machine operators are at risk of getting a hand or finger injured in a machine.
• Slipping and falling on a wet floor, sustaining injuries
• Forklift trucks causing and employee harm, such as the truck accidentally hit the employee while working

Employees who must claim workers’ compensation due to an on-the-job injury do not have to claim taxes on this income source. However, if an employee is injured on the job and cannot return to the position due to a job-related disability and retires, their retirement plan benefits become taxable. 

Any employee who must file for workers’ compensation can calculate their income with the following formula.

• Expect to receive weekly paychecks. Compensation calculates as 66 2/3 percent of an average weekly wage over the last 52 weeks of earnings before the accident. 

Most employees prefer to work, so if they are hurt from an on-the-job by a job-related accident, this can be an upsetting circumstance. It is best to contact an attorney seasoned and experienced in protecting employee rights when hurt on the job. 

Accidents, injuries, and death can be caused by the negligence of any person or company at any time. When there is negligence in the workplace, in school, on the street, in a hospital, clinic, doctor’s office, store, and anywhere there are people, negligence can and does happen.  

The following are a few of an extensive list of appropriate compensation claims.

• Injuries in the workplace, no matter what department or where
• Injuries when traveling for work
• Construction site injuries
• On-the-job injuries from machines and equipment used for the job
• Air travel for work
• Car accidents when working on the job
• Exposure to contagious diseases while on the job
• Bodily injures from the brain to the toe tips
• Electrocution injury on the job
• Harmful chemical exposure on the job
• Injuries from assaults at work, including emotional and psychological injury
• Disfigurement and scarring from work-related injuries
• Occupational injuries incurred while on the job

When another person’s negligence causes you an injury, never feel guilty of filing a claim for a settlement or compensation to help pay for mounting medical bills and loss of wages. Instead, it is best if you had the expertise of an attorney who can obtain the compensation to pay for a host of unexpected expenses. These expenses include past, present, and future costs that mount due to your accident. 

If you have a loved one who died due to the negligence of another person or company, please contact us, and we will help you get the compensation your loved one deserves. 

This settlement can pay for end-of-life expenses and funeral costs, so that family members do not have to pay for these things. We understand your loss and also know that a settlement will not bring your loved one back. However, this settlement helps close doors and is a final step in helping your loved one find justice. 

What Benefits Do Workers’ Compensation Pay?

• Loss of wages for as long as your doctor says you cannot return to work
• Payment of medical bills related to your injuries
• Reimbursement of mileage to and from doctor and therapy appointments.
• Compensation for permanent injuries.  

When there is Permanent Disability

It takes the expertise of your primary doctor to determine the disability of your body. Your doctor must determine that your condition improved as much as possible with no further expected progress. It is your right to get a second opinion from the doctor of your choice. You may be entitled to money for permanent disability. We can help you through this process. If you have any notions of a lawsuit against your employer, you must speak with us first, and we can advise you. The one item that workers’ compensation does not pay for pain and suffering.

Some employees are afraid of retaliation by their employer if they file a compensation claim. Rest assured that your employer cannot retaliate against you. However, there is still a chance that they may terminate you for other reasons. 

Please Speak with our attorney about the following issues.

• Your employer wrongfully terminated you.
• Your workplace injuries affected your marriage
• Can a family member or friend be paid for taking care of my needs?
• What happens if there is a need for attendant care? 

A Call to Action Regarding Fair Workers’ Compensation Claims

If you reside in Charlotte, North Carolina, or surrounding areas, know that lawyers, such as one from the Sumwalt Anderson Law Firm, are ready to help you navigate the judicial industry in protecting employee rights when on-the-job accidents, injuries, and death. 

Never try to represent yourself in a workers’ compensation claim. These claims can become complex and complicated. In addition, navigating the court system without a seasoned attorney by your side may not end well. Meaning, you may not receive the settlement you need for mounting medical costs and loss of wages as compensation pays about 60 percent of regular wages.