If a worker is injured on the job, then they may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation could provide the injured worker with lost wage benefits so they can continue to provide for their family and medical coverage for their surgeries, medication and physical therapy. With the support from workers’ compensation benefits and time, an employee could potentially recover from their injuries. However, workers’ compensation could also provide medical coverage for long-term disabilities.
Not everyone is eligible for workers’ compensation. A few ways employees may be ineligible for workers’ compensation is if they failed to get a medical examination, report their injuries to their employer within 45 days or file a claim within 3 years. However, workers can feel safe knowing they may still be eligible for workers’ compensation despite the cause of their injuries. It typically does not matter how an employee suffered their injuries because workers’ comp is a no-fault system, as long as the injuries were work-related.
Applying for medical coverage and lost wages despite who caused an accident
A no-fault system means that an employee can file a workers’ compensation claim and obtain benefits without needing to prove negligence. A workers’ comp claim typically does not consider whether a worker suffered their injuries because of their own action or from the negligence of an employer or co-worker.
There are a few situations where an injured worker may be denied benefits because of how the accident occurred. A workplace accident directly caused by alcohol or substance use may prevent a worker from applying for benefits. Similarly, a worker who started a fight and suffered injuries may not collect benefits.
Workers who are denied workers’ comp benefits can learn about their legal right to appeal a decision.
