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Workers Compensation Benefits

What You Should Know About Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Workers’ Compensation Benefits and the Injuries That Are Covered

Whether you tripped and fell at your workplace or were struck by some type of moving machinery, you may have a case that would qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. In 2016, nearly 4,700 worker fatalities occurred in private industries, which shows just how dangerous some occupations can be. If you were injured in an accident at your workplace, reach out to our job accident lawyer so that we can help you determine what legal options you have.

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that’s designed to provide employees with certain coverage in the event that they become injured while on the job. This coverage typically extends to any medical expenses as well as wage replacement. When an employee obtains this type of coverage, they relinquish the right to file a lawsuit against their employer for perceived negligence. Some types of compensation that typically aren’t included in any workers’ compensation policy include punitive damages plus pain and suffering.

When you’re thinking of filing a workers’ compensation claim in Somerville, the types of benefits that you may receive will depend on the extent of your injury. In most cases, more serious injuries bring with them higher benefits. This policy may pay for standard medical care caused by a work-related injury immediately after the injury has occurred. In other situations, the injury or illness may take longer to fully diagnose and comprehend, which means that the payment of any possible benefits may also take longer to receive.

Medical Only and Temporary Disability Benefits

If the injury that you’ve suffered while you were on the job has resulted in the need for medical care but hasn’t caused a disability, the types of benefits that may be provided in this type of case are considered to be medical-only benefits. In these types of cases, the lost time at work that has occurred from the injury will range from several days to a week. There are times when caps are placed on how much benefits are provided for medical costs. Medical-only cases are easily the most common type of workers’ compensation claims to be filed.

A temporary disability is one where the injury or illness prevents the worker from returning to their job for an extended period of time. The amount of the benefit with a temporary disability will differ depending on the extent of the injury as well as how much work was missed. The benefits may last until the worker has returned to their job after the injuries have been healed.

Permanent Disability and Fatality Benefits

A permanent disability is considered to be an injury or illness where the worker is unable to return to work because of the condition. It’s possible for these benefits to be paid once the individual has reached the maximum amount of medical improvement that they’re expected to achieve. When it’s deemed that the worker’s health will no longer improve, it’s possible that an individual may be able to qualify for permanent partial disability or permanent total disability benefits. Partial disability cases are ones where the worker has physical impairments that will never get better but don’t completely inhibit their ability to work.

Workers’ compensation programs also pay benefits for work-related fatalities that have occurred because of an illness or injury. These benefits usually include cash payments for the worker’s dependents as well as funeral expenses. In general, workplace fatalities are rare, which is why this type of claim makes up only .5 percent of workers’ compensation cases. No matter the severity of your work-related injury, consider contacting our job accident lawyers to help you understand more about the claims process and all that it entails.

If you’ve recently been involved in an accident at your place of employment, call our job accident lawyer in Somerville today at (609) 771-8611 so that we can take a look at your case and advise you on the available actions you may be able to take.

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