
4 Types of Workers Compensation
Vocational Expert Tips: 4 Types of Workers Compensation
This year, about 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries were reported in the US. 15% of workplace injuries are in manufacturing. Meanwhile, the construction industry has the highest on-the-job fatality rates.
One of the reasons most states across the US require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance is to provide important protections for employees who get injured or become ill on the job.
Workers’ compensation provides several types of coverage for employees if they need it. Read on to learn more about the types of workers’ compensation coverage and for tips from our vocational experts.
1. Workplace Medical Care
Workers’ compensation insurance should cover the related medical expenses if an employee gets injured on the job and needs medical care.
The employee needs to inform their boss of the injury or illness, and the employer files a claim with their workers’ compensation insurer. The worker would seek medical treatment.
Often for worker’s compensation, the insurance company will ask the injured party to see a specific medical provider if the injury isn’t emergent.
Medical care coverage includes things like:
- Hospital and emergency room visits
- Doctor’s appointments
- Medications
- Therapy and rehabilitation
- Recovery equipment
If the original injury creates other medical issues resulting from the original injury, workers’ compensation should also cover that care.
When a worker gets injured and unable to return to work, they may need disability. The disability part of workers’ compensation allows workers to be compensated for the lost wages while out on disability.
There are several types of disability, depending on the circumstances.
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- Temporary total disability means the worker is injured badly enough that they must be off work for a period of time, but they expect to make a full recovery. Once healed, they can return to work without any limitations.
- Temporary partial disability means the worker can work but less. Perhaps they work fewer hours and with fewer demands while their injury heals.
- Permanent total disability means the injury is so significant that the worker will never return to work.
- Finally, permanent partial disability means the worker can return to work once healed but will never be able to perform their previous job.
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Employees may need to participate in a forensic vocational evaluation to define their level of disability.
3. Worker Rehabilitation
Often employees who are injured on the job need rehabilitation care. This might include treatments like physical therapy or occupational therapy.
The employee may need an employability assessment to determine their ability to function on the job.
If it’s likely that the employee can’t return to their previous job ever because of the impact of the injury, they might also need a vocational evaluation. This would help to define what they can do.
4. Employee Death Benefits and Funeral Expenses
If a worker loses their life on the job, workers’ compensation insurance will also pay for funeral expenses for the deceased’s family.
Many policies also provide death benefits in the form of lost wages. There are caps or limits on these, depending on the policy.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation for Your Workplace
Workers’ compensation provides essential protections for workers in case of injury. It helps to avoid litigation by ensuring the worker has medical coverage and lost wages.
If you have an injured employee who needs an employability assessment in Washington state, we can help. Contact us today so we can help with the vocational counseling and evaluations your injured worker needs.
Solutions Norhtwest Inc. is involved in personal injury, workers’ compensation, ergonomics, family law, and more.
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