Workers who are injured on the job shouldn’t be expected to pay for their own medical care or to just deal with the loss of income if they have to miss work. Since many businesses couldn’t afford to simply pay cash for all of those expenses, workers’ compensation insurance becomes crucial. In fact, most companies are required by law to have workers’ compensation insurance.
Does it matter who is at fault for an accident for workers’ compensation?
Generally, it doesn’t matter who is considered at fault for an accident. Workers’ compensation would provide coverage for almost all work-related accidents. There are some exceptions, such as if a worker is drunk or under the influence of drugs when the injury occurs. Drug testing is often required after a workplace accident because of that limitation.
Who is covered by workers’ compensation policies?
Anyone who is considered an employee in the legal sense would be covered under a workers’ compensation policy. The owners of a business and their family members might not be covered under the policy. In many cases, contractors aren’t considered employees. Those contractors might be covered under the policy if they meet specific criteria.
If you are injured on the job, you should determine if your employer has the required workers’ compensation insurance. From there, you can file a claim. Generally, you won’t be able to file a lawsuit for compensation because of workers’ compensation. Because of that, you must ensure that the benefits you receive from workers’ compensation are suitable. If you have any doubts, you can seek out assistance to determine the suitability.
Source: FindLaw, “What Is Workers' Compensation Insurance?,” accessed June 24, 2016
