Even with their best efforts, the safety measures in place at any facility may not be enough to keep workers secure. While effective safety policies can reduce risks, they are not an accident-free bubble. Workers' compensation insurance is essential for employers and employees. Many insurers offer industry-standard workers' compensation policies across the country. That said, it is still important to know what your policy covers.
Medical Treatment
The first benefit covered under workers' compensation insurance is the medical treatment for an injury or illness sustained at the workplace. The medical policy pays for a doctor's appointment, emergency room visits, medication, rehabilitation, and recovery equipment, such as crutches and wheelchairs. In case of a severe injury, a worker might need ongoing rehabilitation even after returning to work. The costs are still covered under the insurance policy. However, workers' compensation insurance does not cover alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, naturopathic care, and homeopathic medicine. If an employee suffers a medical complication arising from a work-related injury or illness, worker's compensation covers treatment for the problem.
Disability
Some work-related injuries can be so severe that an employee is left disabled, limiting their role in a firm. Typically, disability resulting from work-related injuries falls into four categories. The first group is the temporary total disability, where an injury is not entirely debilitating. Although an injured employee might not work for some time, they return to full capacity once healed. Temporary partial disability is the second category, and the injuries are not severe. Injured workers can still work without time off, albeit at a reduced capacity. Debilitating injuries and illnesses that leave employees unable to work again fall in the third category: permanent total disability. For instance, an injury that leads to amputation means that staff will not return to work. The last class is the permanent partial disability, where an employee can still work, but in a different capacity. Most importantly, workers' compensation helps offset lost income due to an injury.
Death and Funeral Services
Unfortunately, some accidents can lead to loss of life either immediately or during treatment. When it happens, workers' compensation covers the treatment cost, funeral expenses, and lost income. Usually, a company reaches out to the deceased's beneficiaries, such as their spouse, children, or parents. However, insurers have a limit on how much workers' compensation can cover funeral services expenses. Service providers might decline compensation if they deem funeral services unnecessarily expensive.
For more information about workers' compensation insurance, contact a local insurance provider.
