In most states, employers are required to carry at least some level of workers' compensation insurance coverage. Specifically, this coverage is designed to protect employees if they're injured on-the-job or due to performing their jobs. If your employer carries workers' comp insurance, hopefully you'll never need to use it. However, there are some things all workers should know about this type of coverage so they can protect their legal rights and seek the compensation they may be entitled to.
1. Pre-Existing Conditions May Be Covered
One of the biggest misconceptions employees tend to have about workers' compensation insurance is that it doesn't cover pre-existing conditions. This is not always the case. In fact, if you have a pre-existing condition that was worsened by performing your job or an on-the-job incident, then you very well may still be entitled to workers compensation benefits. The difficult part of this is proving that it was your work that caused the condition or injury to worsen.
2. You Might Be Eligible, Even if You Were At Fault
Another common misconception that people have about workers compensation coverage is that they can't quality for benefits if they were determined to be at fault for the incident. For example, if a forklift driver becomes injured while operating machinery improperly, he or she may assume that there is no justification for workers' compensation benefits. In reality, workers' compensation is designed to be a no-fault insurance program, meaning you can still be eligible for coverage so long as the incident that led to your injury wasn't intentional.
3. You May Still Be Required to Work
If you do apply for workers' compensation benefits and are approved, keep in mind that you may still be required to work if you're able. In most cases, injured employees will be moved to a light-duty position, such as a desk job, until they have recovered from their injury or ailment.
4. Your Initial Claim Might Be Denied
Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for initial workers' compensation claims to be denied. This often occurs when paperwork or documentation is missing, or when an employer fights a claim. If you receive a denial letter, you'll want to reach out to an experienced workers' compensation lawyer as soon as possible to determine whether or not you have cause to appeal.
Being aware of these lesser-known facts about workers' compensation can prepare you in the event that you ever need to file a claim, so keep this in mind!
Share28 March 2019
I still remember the first time I had to chose an insurance policy; I was 17 years old and had just saved up enough money to afford my very first car. I was so excited to begin driving, but overwhelmed with all of the different auto insurance options. My father helped me chose a full-coverage policy that would cover the cost of my car if it were to become damaged in an accident. When I inevitably caused a small fender-bender as a new driver, my insurance company paid for my car repairs, so it sure was the best policy for me! Now that I am older and have learned a lot about home insurance and other types of insurance, I thought I would make a blog to help others who need insurance advice, like what my dad gave me. I hope I can help you make wise insurance decisions!