Types of Workers' Compensation Benefits
Workers' Compensation pays for your medical treatments and care when you're injured or become ill because of you work. It also provides additional benefits if you're disabled or killed while on the job. Learn about several types of Workers'' Compensation as you understand your benefits package.
Medical Care
When you're injured at work, you need to see a doctor. He or she will evaluate your injury and prescribe treatment. You may even need to visit the hospital for medical care or undergo surgery. Workers' Comp will cover these visits, and it could also cover medically necessary equipment, including crutches, braces or a wheelchair. Your coverage may also pay for chiropractic treatment, acupuncture or counseling. In most cases, your Workers' Comp will not cover experimental or investigative treatments.
Rehabilitation
Serious injuries may require rehabilitative services such as physical therapy that help you recover. Workers' Comp can pay for this rehabilitative therapy. It could also cover any rehab you need to regain skills or abilities required for your job. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your former job, take advantage of your Workers' Compensation benefits that can pay for evaluations, tuition, retraining and other expenses required to train you for another position.
Disability
Worker's Comp disability coverage pays you for the wages you lose while you're recovering from your illness or injury. There are four types of disability it can cover.
*Temporary partial disability prohibits you from performing certain duties of your job for a limited period of time.
*Temporary total disability prevents you from working at all for a limited period of time.
*Permanent partial disability describes permanent impairment that partially hinders your ability to work.
*Permanent total disability means you will never return to your current or a similar job.
The amount of Worker's Comp money you receive for a disability depends on how much you earned before your injury or illness occurred. It's typically capped at two-thirds of your wages. Additionally, there's often a waiting period before you can receive disability payments, and you do not pay income tax on this income.
Death
The death benefit in your Workers' Comp plan covers the financial contributions you make to your dependents. It is paid to your spouse, parent, child or sibling and could total a percentage of your earnings. The death benefit of your Workers'' Comp coverage may also pay for your funeral and burial expenses.
Every state offers a slightly different take on Workers' Compensation, so refer to your company's benefits for details on the types of Workers' Comp you are eligible to receive. For more details, talk to your Human Resources department.