|
In Pain, Out of Work and Can't Pay the
Bills
A Resource Directory for People with CRPS
Workers' Compensation
Workers' Compensation laws are designed to make sure that
employees who are injured or disabled on the job are provided
with fixed monetary awards, eliminating the need for litigation.
Workers' compensation was originally designed as a "no
fault" system for employees injured at work, and to cover
their medical expenses and provide income until they were
able to return to work.
These laws also provide benefits for dependents of those
workers who are killed because of work-related accidents or
illnesses. Some laws also protect employers and fellow workers
by limiting the amount an injured employee can recover from
an employer and by eliminating the liability of co-workers
in most accidents.
Each state administers its own program, although the Federal
Employement Compensation Act provides workers compenation
for non-military federal employees.
Benefits
There are six basic types of workers compensation benefits
available, depending on the nature, date, and severity of
your injury:
1. medical care
2. temporary disability benefits
3. permanent disability benefits
4. vocational rehabilitation services
5. supplemental job displacement benefits
6. death benefits
You also are compensated for lost wages as long as you are
considered partially or permanently disabled.
Return to work
Under workers' compensation laws, the physician who treats
you is charged with assessing what percentage of disability
you have and when you are fit to work again. This is in addition
to the usual treatment responsibilities.
Filing a Claim
The employer files the claim. You should report an injury
to your employer as soon as it happens, and they should take
it from there. For your own records, you may want to jot down
the details about the accident.
In general, your employer will file a claim with its insurance
carrier, which in turn files with the state. Or, if your company
is self-insured, it will file the claim directly with the
state.
If you are concerned about the status of your workers' compensation
claim, you should check with your employer first and then
seek out your state's workers' compensation agency.
What do I do if I am wrongly denied benefits?
You may have to resort to litigation, but first try to work
with your state's ombudsman or mediators. You can find them
through your state's workers' compensation agency.
To find your state's agency, click here.
US Department of Labor Workers' Compensation Guide
Introduction
Assistive Devices
Caregiver Resources
Clinical Trials
Disability Resources
Government Assistance
Programs
Health Services/Insurance
Independent Living
Centers
Legal Aid
Living Expenses
Patient Assistance
Programs
Service, Faith-based,
and Private Organizations
Transportation
Veterans
Workers Compensation
Appendices:
Federal
Poverty Guidelines
Finding Free Clinics
Updated
March 5, 2008
|
