Most employees do their jobs and go home at the end of a shift without any major incidents. They may go their entire careers without ever getting hurt at work or developing a job-acquired medical condition. Yet, a small portion of employees are less fortunate than others. They could get hurt because they fall while working on a roof or get struck by a piece of heavy equipment. Others might develop illnesses related to environmental exposure to dangerous substances.
Individuals with medical issues directly related to their employment may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. There are several different types of benefits available. The three different types of benefits below can minimize the economic harm caused by medical issues related to someone’s employment.
Medical coverage
The most common benefit used by workers is medical coverage. They can receive full coverage for any necessary medical care that they require. From emergency treatment after a traumatic injury to ongoing pain management medication, most necessary forms of treatment are available for full coverage through workers’ compensation benefits. Workers don’t have to pay a copay or worry about meeting a deductible to get the treatment they require.
Disability benefits
A health issue related to work might keep someone from doing their job. In some cases, workers may need a short-term leave of absence as they heal from a traumatic injury. Other times, they may be forever incapable of returning to their prior profession due to limb loss or other catastrophic injuries. Disability benefits can replace a portion of a worker’s lost wages until they recover or become eligible for retirement benefits. There are permanent and temporary disability benefits that apply to cases involving both partial or total disability.
Death benefits
Occasionally, the worker hurt on the job isn’t the party who files the claim. Instead, surviving family members pursue benefits after someone dies. Workers’ compensation can offer several forms of support after the death of an employee. Benefits can cover treatment expenses prior to someone’s passing. Surviving dependent family members can also receive wage replacement benefits. Additionally, funeral and burial benefits may be available. The current maximum benefit for burial expenses is over $12,000.
Learning more about workers’ compensation benefits can help those dealing with injuries and illnesses related to their careers. Workers’ compensation benefits can potentially help people limit the economic damage caused by their employment.
