Workers’ compensation is an insurance system that can provide employees hurt on the job with reimbursement for medical expenses and lost wages. It’s a state-run program that is highly regulated to ensure the injured worker is protected and that the amount of money paid out meets specific guidelines. In many cases, these benefits exceed those provided under regular health coverage.
There are 4 types of workers' comp benefits available.
Medical Cost Reimbursement (MCR) is the most common workers' comp benefit. About 75 percent of all workers' compensation benefits are paid out in MCR.
The employee would need to prove that they suffered a work-related injury or illness to receive MCR benefits through their employer's workers' compensation insurance policy.
MCR is designed to compensate employees for medical costs that result from on-the-job injuries or illnesses. You are not compensated for injuries that occurred outside of a work environment. Medical costs include medical treatments, such as prescription drugs, hospital care and medical equipment, such as a wheelchair. MCR can also include costs associated with long-term treatments, such as those needed for brain injury or spinal cord injury rehabilitation.
The amount of MCR the employee receives depends on the nature of their injury and recovery. Generally speaking, workers' compensation insurance will cover all "reasonable and necessary" medical expenses resulting from the injury.
Vocational rehabilitation benefits help provide injured workers with the resources to obtain or maintain a job when they are unable to work due to their injuries. These benefits vary widely depending on the employer's workers' compensation insurance policy.
Vocational rehabilitation services can include assistance with finding a new job, returning to school or acquiring the necessary tools and training to hold down a job. It can also include job coaching. Vocational rehabilitation is often necessary for people who have sustained particularly severe injuries on the job, such as spinal cord injuries or brain injuries.
Unlike many other workers' compensation benefits, vocational rehabilitation is often paid to workers who cannot work temporarily due to their injuries. Vocational rehabilitation benefits may provide financial assistance to injured workers while they’re unable to work and need help adjusting to their new reality after an injury. The state may also provide psychological rehabilitation if a worker has suffered a work-related mental health injury.
Lost wages and disability benefits are intended to compensate for lost earnings following an injury. The amount to be paid is calculated according to the nature of the injury and the length of time the injured worker is unable to work. What's more, the total amount the injured worker can receive is capped by state law.
These benefits are separated into 4 categories, depending on whether the disabilities are total or partial and temporary or permanent:
Death benefits are awarded to survivors of those who die due to an injury or illness suffered at work. Death benefits are usually paid every 2 weeks and are generally two-thirds of the worker’s average wage (similar to disability benefit amounts).
Payments are divided among dependants, who can receive compensation until they’re no longer eligible.
These benefits may be subject to a maximum amount that varies by state.
Workers' compensation does not cover any of the following:
The process of workers' compensation benefits can be challenging. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney understands the laws and filing deadlines and can help you protect your rights. Before you accept any workers ’compensation settlement consider consulting an attorney to ensure you receive the maximum compensation for your injury.
Meet Colorado Workers' Compensation, Personal Injury
and Insurance Dispute Attorney R. Mack Babcock
Prior to founding The Babcock Law Firm, LLC, R. Mack Babcock spent many years on the other side of workers' compensation, car accidents, personal injury and insurance disputes representing some of the largest insurance companies and corporations in Colorado as an attorney at a midsize insurance defense firm.
Babcock is a member of the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations, the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and the Workers' Compensation Educational Association. In early 2008, he was elected as the Colorado House District 43 Committee Chairperson for the Douglas County Colorado Democratic Party.
In connection with this position, he is responsible for finding a candidate(s) to run for House District 43, overseeing the campaign(s), organizing volunteers, and also sits on the executive committee for the Douglas County Democratic Party.
Meet Atlanta's Top Workers' Compensation and Work Injury Attorneys
In 2018, two widely respected attorneys joined forces to establish Gerber & Holder Attorneys at Law, an Atlanta-based workers' compensation law firm dedicated to protecting injured workers in Georgia. Together, Ben Gerber and Thomas Holder bring an impressive resume of combined skills, knowledge, resources and experience to work for individuals suffering from a work-related accident such as back and neck injuries, spinal cord trauma, head and brain injuries, construction accidents, car accidents, truck accidents and other catastrophic injuries.
Both attorneys have an impressive history of success in workers' compensation cases with over 50 years of combined experience practicing law in Georgia. Their accomplishments include recognitions from Super Lawyers, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, AV Martindale-Hubbell, Avvo, the Atlanta Bar Association, Knights of the Bar, the Lawyers' Foundation of Georgia and others. Ben Gerber also appeared as a guest on the radio show Atlanta Legal Experts. He's also an active member of the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Claimant’s Lawyers (WCCL) board, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Atlanta Bar Association and the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation.