Workers’ compensation is insurance that helps employees cover their losses if they get injured in the workplace. Talk to a workers’ comp attorney Richmond, VA, today to know more about workers’ comp claims and benefits.
What is workers’ comp?
When workers get injured in the workplace, their injuries may take a long time to recover, and they may even suffer from permanent disabilities. Workers’ comp insurance allows injured employees to recover their losses. Some of the expenses that this insurance can cover are:
- Medical bills
- Costs of ongoing medical treatments
- Lost wages
- Funeral expenses
Does your employer have to carry workers’ comp insurance?
In most states of the USA, employers must have workers’ comp insurance before hiring employees. If state laws require the employer to carry workers’ comp insurance, the employer may be penalized if they fail to do this. If workplace injuries occur under an employer that does not have workers’ comp insurance, the employer can be sued by the injured employee.
How long can you stay on workers’ comp benefits?
The duration of time that you can receive workers’ comp benefits varies from state to state. The disability classification designated by your doctor also affects how long you can receive workers’ comp benefits. The four disability classifications are:
- Temporary Total Disability
The injured employee loses their wage-earning capabilities completely, but only temporarily.
- Temporary Partial Disability
The injured employee loses their wage-earning capabilities partially, but only temporarily.
- Permanent Total Disability
The injured employee loses their ability to earn wages completely and totally. There is no limit to the number of weeks to collect the benefits. However, if the injured employee can work in a different type of job, the compensation amount may change.
- Permanent Partial Disability
The injured employee loses their capacity to earn wages completely and permanently. The nature of the permanent injury and the area of the body that is injured determines the benefits. Two years after the employee sustained the injury, “maximum medical improvement” (MMI) is considered, no matter the severity of the injury.
Schedule a consultation with an attorney today
If you have been injured in your workplace, you must file a workers’ comp claim immediately to receive compensation and recover your losses. The process of filing a workers’ comp claim can be long and grueling, and a lot of things can go wrong. Talk to an experienced workers’ comp attorney today and get the legal help you need.
