Workers' compensation is a type of insurance program that is designed to benefit employees who are injured on the job. If you suffer some type of injury or illness, getting workers' compensation benefits can provide you with financial help for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. Not every type of injury will entitle you to a settlement from the workers' compensation insurance program. To find out if you are eligible, you need to get some information from your employer, and you must evaluate the type of injury suffered.
Instructions
1. Determine if your injury fits the criteria for a workers' compensation claim. If you are injured while on the job, you can typically be compensated for your injury, but the injury must have been work-related in some capacity. You could have experienced the injury while working on the premises or you could be on an errand for your employer. The injury must also have been caused through the normal course of working. If you were engaged in horseplay or if you injured yourself intentionally, you will not be able to benefit from this program.
2. Find out if your employer actually has workers' compensation insurance and whether you are covered. Some types of businesses are exempt from this coverage. Not every employee must be covered under this type of insurance. For example, if you are an independent contractor, you do not have to be covered by workers' compensation. If your employer is covered by this insurance and you are an employee who is covered by the policy, you should be entitled to benefits.
3. Decide if you want to pursue a settlement from workers' compensation or if you would be better served by ongoing payments. The workers' compensation program is designed to provide you with a regular income while you are unable to work after being injured. If you decide to pursue a one-time settlement, you can do so, but you will not be able to get your ongoing payments at the same time.
4. Consult with your employer and the workers' compensation insurance company to find out what your options are. As long as the injury is legitimate and it was suffered while on the job, you should not have a problem getting benefits. If the company denies your claim for some reason, you have the right to hire an attorney and file a lawsuit against it.
