Types of Workers' Compensation Benefits

If you’re eligible for workers’ compensation due to a work-related injury or illness, you might be wondering what type of benefits you stand to receive. While each state has its own workers’ compensation laws, virtually every state affords four types of benefits. Here we break them down.

1. Medical Care

Most injured employees who file a claim for workers’ compensation will receive medical coverage to pay the cost of treating an occupational injury or illness. This may include fees for:

• Doctor, hospital, and emergency room visits
• Medications
• Medical diagnostic tests
• Physical therapy
• Certain medical equipment, including crutches and wheelchairs

These benefits are typically provided until the injured or sick employee has fully recovered and is able to return to work. However, state laws may impose restrictions on certain treatments. For example, you might be limited to a maximum number of physical therapy visits. In addition, state laws dictate whether alternative treatments such as massage therapy are covered.

2. Disability

Disability benefits are designed to replace a portion of the wages lost when an employee is disabled by a work-related injury. There are four types of disability covered:

• Temporary Partial: An injury has left an employee partly disabled in the short term, but he or she can continue working part time.
• Temporary Total: An employee is completely disabled and unable to work for a short period of time but can eventually return to work without restrictions.
• Permanent Partial: An employee is able to eventually return to work, but not at full capacity.
• Permanent Total: A permanent injury has left a worker unable to return to work and earn income in the same career.

3. Rehabilitation

In most states, injured workers who are unable to return to their job are eligible for vocational training to cover the costs of learning a new marketable skill. In addition, some states may offer psychological rehabilitation.

4. Death

In the event an employee dies on the job, benefits are paid to the victim’s spouse, minor children, and other dependents.

Contact a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

If you’ve suffered an injury or illness on the job, you deserve to recover all the benefits you’re entitled to. Sadly, some employers and their insurance companies will do all they can to deny benefits to employees. At Morgan & Morgan, our highly skilled attorneys fight on behalf of sick and injured workers to provide them the best possible outcome. To learn more, schedule a free legal case evaluation now.