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Holding Employers and Insurance Companies Responsible for Worker Safety


— July 29, 2022

Workers’ compensation pays workers if they cannot work due to job-related injuries.


Worker’s compensation is a type of insurance that covers employees injured on the job. It can also cover those injured or deceased while driving a company vehicle or during company-related training.

Workers’ compensation insurance benefits can cover the income that an injured worker would have made while unable to work. It can also pay for medical bills, rehabilitation, and other expenses due to the injury. This type of insurance only applies to those who have been injured in a workplace accident.

Workers’ Compensation Laws

Workers’ compensation insurance is required by law in most U.S. states. However, the legal framework can change between states. To learn if you qualify for benefits in your state, consult a specialized local lawyer.

If you suffered a workplace injury in Houston, Texas attorneys can help protect your interest while filing for benefits. A legal expert can also help you negotiate with the insurance company.

Employers and Insurance Companies Should Be Held Responsible for Worker Safety

In the United States, workers’ compensation insurance is usually provided through the state’s workers’ compensation system. In most states, this insurance system is also known as a compensation fund.

State and federal agencies regulate insurance expenses. These funds are administered by an insurance commissioner and boards of supervisors, the governing body for most state governments.

The risk of being injured on the job is an unfortunate aspect of many professions. Workers’ compensation helps protect employees and employers when tragedies occur. The insurance provides a financial safety net for employees and shelters employers against legal action (to some degree).

Workers’ Injury Compensation Benefits

Workers’ compensation benefits can help injured employees rebuild their life after the accident. To learn what benefits you qualify for, consult your attorney.

Medical Expenses

Workers’ comp provides employees with medical benefits if injured on the job. Accident victims are entitled to treatment for their injuries, regardless of a preexisting medical condition. They also receive compensation for temporary disability and permanent disability resulting from work-related accidents.

Compensation for Lost Wages

Workers’ compensation pays workers if they cannot work due to job-related injuries. The compensation the employee receives is based on their wage when injured and how long recovery takes.

Disability Benefits

Workers’ compensation offers compensation to workers permanently disabled as a result of a work-related accident. Workers may receive medical treatment and compensation for wages lost due to their injuries for the rest of their lives.

Wheelchair
Wheelchair; image courtesy of stevepb via Pixabay, www.pixabay.com

Suppose an injury prevents a worker from returning to the same or similar position. In that case, workers’ comp may pay for additional training, education, and assistance seeking a new job in less physically demanding work.

Death Benefits

Workers’ compensation offers financial support to the families of workers who have died in a job-related accident. The families of injured workers who die from job-related injuries or illnesses may receive payments for burial costs, medical treatment, basic wages, and funeral expenses.

What Does Workers’ Compensation Insurance Not Cover

It is also essential to know the limits of workers’ compensation. While benefits cover many areas of life, they do not apply in the following cases:

  • Injuries caused by intoxication
  • Criminal activity
  • Injuries occurred off the job site
  • Contractual arrangements with an employer

Workers’ compensation insurance is the most crucial government-mandated insurance for injured workers. It can reimburse lost wages and medical costs, easing the financial burden on victims. After reviewing your case, a lawyer can identify what benefits you may recover.

Seek Legal Counsel

Employers are required by law to carry workers’ compensation insurance in many states. However, requirements for this type of insurance change between states. Consult a lawyer to learn more about the legal framework in your state.

Furthermore, an attorney can help you through each step of filing a workers’ compensation claim. Unlike insurance agents, lawyers always represent the best interest of the client. Working with a legal expert might help you receive more benefits for your injury case.

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