Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that provides wage replacement and medical benefits to employees if they were injured or made ill while on the job. The goal of workers’ compensation is to help ensure that injured workers receive adequate financial compensation for their injuries and illnesses. It also provides employers with protection from potentially costly lawsuits.
What should you know about workers’ compensation?
Goal of Workers’ Compensation
The primary goal of workers’ compensation is to provide financial assistance to injured or sickened employees.
This includes wage replacement in the form of cash benefits, as well as medical expenses related to the injury or illness. Medical benefits may cover:
- Hospital visits
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Other expenses associated with treatment
In addition to providing financial assistance, one of the main purposes of workers’ compensation is to protect employers from lawsuits. When an employee files a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, they may waive their right to sue their employer for negligence.
How Does Workers’ Compensation Work?
For an employee to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, they must first file a claim with their employer’s insurance company.
To do so, employees must provide proof that their work environment caused their injury or illness in some way.
In most states, employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage to provide financial assistance and protection from lawsuits if an employee gets sick or hurt on the job.
However, there are certain exceptions where the state doesn’t require employers to have such coverage. These exceptions vary depending on the state and industry. It’s important to check your state’s laws regarding workers’ compensation before filing a claim in case your employer does not have coverage available.
How Can a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Help You?
Workers’ Compensation plays an important role in helping employees receive fair financial assistance after an injury or illness linked to their work environment.
If you think you might benefit from filing a worker’s comp claim after getting hurt at work, make sure you understand your state’s laws surrounding this type of insurance coverage before proceeding with any legal action. That way you can ensure that you’ll get all the help you need without any unnecessary delays or complications along the way.
For more information about workers’ compensation in Maryland or to speak to someone about an injury or illness related to your work, contact Shugarman & Mehring at 410.783.4200 or toll-free at 888.342.7200.