What Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

Millions of people suffer injuries at work every year in the U.S. These injuries can stem from accidents, work-related illnesses, repetitive strain injuries, and more. Injured workers should not have to cover their own medical expenses and losses, but employers should not have to pay out of pocket for these injuries, and often, they cannot afford to do so.  Fortunately, workers’ compensation insurance mitigates loss and liability from work-related injuries and illness. The insurance provides injured employees in California with benefits to cover lost wages, medical expenses, and disability benefits if they cannot work long-term. Almost every state has strict requirements for employers to carry this coverage, and your company should have the right policy in place.  Discuss your options for workers’ compensation with our insurance professionals today. 

What Does Workers Compensation Insurance Cover?

Medical Expenses

Depending on the nature of the work, employees can suffer various injuries. For instance, a warehouse employee is prone to fall and slip injuries. Common injuries from fall and slip accidents include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, concussions, and knee and ankle injuries. Workers’ compensation coverage covers all of an employee’s medical expenses to recover from work-related injuries. Some of the medical expenses it covers include:

1. Physician costs
2. Emergency care
3. Hospital bills
4. Prescription expenses
5. Specialized treatment
6. Surgical costs
7. Physical therapy costs

Lost Income

Injured workers might have to miss a few days of work or even a few hours on different days due to medical appointments. Worker’s compensation insurance reimburses the victim for a percentage of the lost wages they suffer during recovery.

Disability

The law allows workers to claim disability for long periods out of work. There are different types of disability benefits, depending on whether the employee can work in any capacity and how long they are out of work. Some injuries prevent workers from ever earning a living again, and workers’ comp can provide ongoing benefits or a lump sum payout. 

The expected disability benefits include:

1. Permanent total disability: It prevents workers from doing work they’d have done before the injury
2. Permanent partial disability: It keeps the worker from performing specific work-related duties. Even so, the injured employee can attend to selected tasks.
3. Temporary partial disability: Refers to injuries that heal over time, allowing the worker to resume regular work.
4. Temporary total disability: Keeps workers from performing specific work-related tasks. However, the doctor expects them to heal and resume work.

Ultimately, the disability benefit helps workers make up for lost wages during recovery.

Death

The surviving spouse, child, or dependents receive death benefits if an employee dies due to work-related injury or illness. Workers’ compensation insurance also covers funeral expenses for the family.

Try Our Workers’ Compensation Insurance Services Today

An employer without workers’ insurance coverage risks regulatory violations, hefty injury lawsuits, and personal liability. You, therefore, need to work closely with a reputable insurance firm like Panorama Insurance Agency. We listen to unique aspects of employers to give them tailored insurance solutions. Get a workers’ comp quote HERE in minutes!