How Can Workers’ Compensation Help?

Employees in Pennsylvania who injure themselves while on the job may wonder how they will pay for medical care as well as missed time from work. Fortunately, most employers carry workers’ compensation insurance, and this helps cover job-related accidents.

According to the Chron, there are numerous benefits an employee receives from workers’ comp. It covers all medical care related to injuries, and this includes any hospitalization. If the injury prevents the employee from returning to work for a period of time, the insurance will pay for disability pay. While this amount is less than the worker’s regular hourly pay, there are no taxes taken out, so this helps.

If the injury or illness is permanent, workers’ compensation may pay for long-term disability or pay the employee one lump sum. There is also coverage for rehabilitation and retraining in the event the injury prevents the employee from returning to the previous job. In the unfortunate event the injury is fatal, insurance will pay benefits to the survivors.

FindLaw outlines some circumstances in which workers’ compensation does not cover work-related injuries. Coverage typically does not cover injuries that occur due to alcohol or drug use. There may also be a denial if the employee obtained the injury while violating a company rule or if the worker purposely hurt him- or herself.

It is also important to understand that not everyone is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Businesses that employ five or fewer workers may not have to carry the insurance. Other workers who are not able to receive benefits include:

• Employees of the railroad or sea

• Volunteers

• Owners of a company

• Independent contractors

• Those who work on a farm

• Private home employees