Workers' compensation is a type of insurance that provides financial and medical benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. Coverage varies by state and employer policies, but generally, it helps workers recover without facing significant financial hardship. Below is a breakdown of what workers' compensation typically covers.
Medical Expenses
Workers' compensation covers all necessary medical treatments related to a workplace injury or illness, including:
- Doctor visits and hospital stays
- Surgeries and emergency room care
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Medical devices (e.g., crutches, wheelchairs, prosthetics)
Employees do not have to pay out-of-pocket costs for these treatments if their claim is approved.
Lost Wages (Income Benefits)
If an injured worker is not able to work due to their injury, workers' comp provides partial wage replacement. Types of income benefits include:
- Temporary Income Benefits (TIBs): Paid when an employee is unable to work for more than seven days but is expected to recover.
- Impairment Income Benefits (IIBs): Given if the worker sustains a permanent injury and is assigned an impairment rating.
- Supplemental Income Benefits (SIBs): These are available if a severe injury prevents the worker from returning to the same type of job.
- Lifetime Income Benefits (LIBs): Provided for catastrophic injuries like paralysis, amputation, or blindness.
Disability Benefits
Workers' compensation covers both partial and total disabilities caused by work-related injuries.
- Partial disability: When the worker can perform some job duties but not their full responsibilities.
- Total disability: When the worker cannot return to work at all due to their injury.
Vocational Rehabilitation
If an injury keeps an employee from returning to their previous job, workers' compensation may cover job retraining, career counseling, and educational programs to help them transition to a new role.
Death and Burial Benefits
If a worker dies because of a job-related injury, workers' comp provides:
- Funeral and burial expenses (up to a state-specific limit)
- Financial support for dependents, such as a spouse or children
What Workers' Compensation Does NOT Cover
- Injuries from horseplay or intoxication
- Self-inflicted injuries
- Injuries that occur outside of work duties
Conclusion
Workers' compensation ensures injured employees receive medical care, wage replacement, and financial protection for serious injuries or deaths. Understanding what it covers helps workers secure the benefits they are entitled to.