The federal government as well as every state has some sort of workers’ compensation law to provide benefits for employees who are injured while performing the duties of their job. Workers’ compensation laws and procedures vary from state to state, so it’s important to contact the Joyner Law Firm to ensure you receive all the benefits you’re entitled to.

Who Qualifies for Workers’ Compensation?

Any employee, except crew members of vessels and interstate railroad workers, are eligible for workers’ compensation. Crew members of vessels and interstate railroad workers are required to sue their employer under civil law rather than receive benefits.

What to do After an Injury

  1. If you get injured in the course of your employment duties, notify your supervisor right away. If emergency services are needed such as an ambulance or hospital room, your employer may have pre-selected healthcare providers for you to use, for which you will not be charged.
  2. Fill out a workers’ compensation claim form. Your employer must provide you with a claim form within one business day after you notified them of your injury. Your employer’s insurer is required to authorize medical care within one business day after you turn in your claim form. The insurer may choose your doctor for your first 30 days of treatment.

Important Note:

If your employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance, you must get help right away from the experienced attorneys at Joyner Law Firm. Under this circumstance, you may have to sue your employer to be compensated.

What if My Injury is not My Employer’s Fault?

It doesn’t matter who is at-fault to receive workers’ compensation. The injury could be your fault, your employer’s fault, a co-worker’s fault, or nobody’s fault. All that matters is that the injury was related to your job.

What Activities Are Considered Job Related?

You do not have to be injured on company property to be eligible for benefits. You just have to be in the course of your employment duties. This includes:

  • Business meetings
  • Deliveries
  • Work-related education or training

An injury at a company event such as a picnic or recreational activity is also generally covered. However, some activities during a company event may not be covered. For example, sightseeing or doing other activities on a business trip that are not related to your work may not be covered under workers’ compensation.

Benefits of Workers’ Compensation

  1. Medical Care

    Your employer must pay all related medical costs. Once you notify your employer of your work-related injury, you should not receive any medical bills associated with that injury.

  2. Temporary Disability

    If your work-related injury forces you to lose three or more days of wages, you are entitled to receive temporary disability while you are recovering.

  3. Permanent Disability

    You can receive permanent disability if your work-related injury causes you to be unfit to perform certain tasks. The amount you receive will depend on the extent of your disability.

  4. Supplemental Job Displacement

    If your injury makes you permanently disabled, you may be eligible to receive free skill enhancement or educational training from an accredited school.

  5. Death Benefit

    If your accident is fatal, your family is entitled to a death benefit. In addition, your family will receive a burial allowance of up to $5,000.