Does Workers’ Compensation Only Cover Medical Bills?

  1. Worker's Compensation
  2. Does Workers’ Compensation Only Cover Medical Bills?

The workers’ compensation system provides benefits to employees who have sustained work-related injuries. But, what types of benefits are available to injured workers? Does this system only cover medical bills related to work-related injuries? Here’s what you should know:

Medical Care

Injured workers can incur thousands of dollars in medical expenses following a workplace injury. Fortunately, victims never have to worry about how they will pay these bills since their employer’s insurance company will pay all of these medical expenses.

It’s true that the workers’ compensation system does cover medical expenses related to workplace injuries. But, this is not the only type of compensation that is available to injured workers.

Temporary Disability Benefits

Many injured workers are temporarily unable to perform their job duties as a result of their injuries. These workers are entitled to temporary disability benefits through the workers’ compensation system.

If an employee is temporarily unable to perform his work or alternative work, he is entitled to temporary total disability benefits. These benefits are paid weekly and are equal to 70% of the victim’s average weekly wage.

Employees that temporarily cannot perform their job duties may be able to perform alternative work while they recover from their injuries. However, the alternative job may not pay as much as the employee’s previous job. In this case, the employee can recover temporary partial disability benefits to make up for the difference in pay.

Permanent Disability Benefits

Permanent partial and permanent total disability benefits are available to injured workers, too. Permanent total disability benefits are paid to injured workers who will never be able to work again because of their work-related injuries. These benefits are paid weekly and are calculated using the worker’s average weekly wage.

Permanent partial disability payments are paid to victims who are capable of performing some type of work, but not the work they performed prior to their injuries.

Death Benefits

Sadly, many workplace injuries are fatal. If an employee is killed at work, his spouse and children are entitled to death benefits through the workers’ compensation system.

Death benefits cover the cost of the victim’s funeral. The victim’s spouse and dependent children may also be awarded a sizable lump sum payment in addition to weekly payments that are calculated using the victim’s average weekly wage.

Vocational Retraining Benefits

Some victims will never be able to perform their job duties again due to their injuries. Victims in this situation may receive vocational retraining benefits so they can learn new skills and find employment elsewhere.

As you can see, workers’ compensation benefits cover far more than just an injured worker’s medical bills. If you have been injured at work, it’s important to understand each type of compensation mentioned above so you know which benefits you are entitled to by law.

Have you suffered an on-the-job injury? There’s no need to handle the workers’ compensation claim process on your own—let the attorneys at Armstrong & Vaught, P.L.C. help. We will handle every aspect of your workers’ compensation claim so you can focus solely on your recovery. Call us at (918) 582-2500 or toll-free at (800) 722-8880 or complete the simple form below for a free consultation with a skilled attorney.

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