Whether you work in an office or on a construction site, you’re likely covered by workers’ compensation insurance. In Minnesota, the workers who are exempt from the requirement include independent contractors, workers on small farms, employees at private residences and business owners. Nationwide, railroad workers are covered by the Federal Employers’ Liability Act.
If you were injured on the job or suffered from a work-related illness or other condition, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, you can seek out workers’ comp benefits. Below is an outline of what those benefits can cover.
Past and future medical expenses
Chances are that you’ve undergone medical treatment for your injury or illness. If the condition is severe, you may require rehabilitative care or prescription drugs on an ongoing basis. The workers’ comp program will cover all of these in addition to travel expenses to and from the hospital or other medical center.
Lost wages and retraining program
You will likely recover two-thirds of your average weekly pay, untaxed, if your condition forced you to take time off work. This state does place a cap of approximately $1,100 on lost income. If you cannot return to work because of a permanent disability, then workers’ comp may pay for a retraining program to help you re-enter the workforce in some other capacity.
When workers are killed, family members can be reimbursed for lost wages in addition to funeral and burial expenses. Workers’ comp benefits do not cover non-monetary losses like pain and suffering.
A lawyer to help with a claim
You may want a workers’ comp attorney on your case because it’s possible for your employer to deny benefits. An attorney may also help victims who intend to sue their employers for some intentional or negligent action that caused the injury.
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