Workers’ compensation is simply a form of insurance paid by employers to offer benefits to their employees who get injured or become ill while on the job. The program facilitates the provision of medical care and other benefits. Besides, it assures employers that they won’t be sued by workers, particularly if they get injured while on the job.
Basically, employers pay into both state and federal workers’ compensation funds, just like any other form of insurance cover. The benefits are then paid employees who get injured or become ill while performing their official duties. Payment for negligence and pain or suffering claims are excluded from the worker’s compensation program. Here are the basic facts of worker’s compensation insurance that every employer must know. However, these facts vary from state to state and thus, it is recommended to consult with your workers’ compensation attorney in Everett, WA, to understand the form of insurance better.
1. The policy is required for every employer
Well, this is true. However, the type and level of coverage vary depending on the state. These differences are associated with different aspects such as the specific workers covered, excluded injuries, the specific illnesses or injuries covered and the proof, statutes of limitations, and the employer defenses against filed claims. Some of these defenses include willful misconduct, self-inflicted injuries, and injuries associated with alcohol and other drugs.
According to experts, employers can self-insure for workers’ compensation if their insurance policy meets the pre-set state regulations. Most employers opt to belong to their specific state’s workers’ compensation program.
2. The policy covers long-term injuries, illnesses and incidences
Generally, worker’s compensation insurance help employees by paying for the medical for medical treatments, replacing their wages, and offering vocational rehabilitation programs so that they can easily resume their work. Besides, death benefits are paid for.
Note that some injuries tend to be long term, and such injuries are included in the policy. Illnesses associated with exposure to various work conditions such as black lung, are work-related. These illnesses are included in the workers’ compensation program.
3. In some cases, the employee can sue the employer for workplace injuries
Though the workers’ compensation insurance preclude worker claims against employers, some circumstances allow a worker to sue his or her employer for on-the-job illness or injury. For instance, the injury may have occurred due to negligence on the part of the employer or the illness or injury happened outside the scope of the employee’s job assignment. In the cases, the employee can sue the employer.
4. Workers’ compensation fraud can result in high penalties and fines
Always remember that workers’ compensation fraud by employers happen in the attempt to lower the amount of premiums paid. Some instances of workers’ compensation fraud include under-reporting the number of workers or miss-classifying workers as non-employees or owners.
Workers may also commit acts of fraud such as falsely claiming that they were injured while on official duty. Also, claiming fees for inaccurate or falsified medical expenses is a fraud.