Workers’ Compensation insurance, also known as workman’s comp and workers’ comp, is designed to protect businesses and their employees from financial loss when an employee is injured on the job or becomes sick from a work-related cause. 

While the need to seek workers’ compensation is rare, an employee who faces an injury is often conflicted and confused about a number of issues. For this reason, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions related to this all-important form of insurance.

What Should an Employee Do if Hurt on the Job?

A workplace injury should be reported to a supervisor immediately. Be sure to provide the date, time and circumstances of the incident. Each state has different requirements about when an injury should be reported, but it’s always best to report the injury as soon as it happens.

What Benefits are Available Under Workers’ Compensation?

An injured employee will be indemnified for lost wages as a result of the work-related injury if he or she is medically authorized off from work. Typically, lost time benefits are a percentage of the injured employee’s pre-injury wage. In addition to all medical expenses related to the treatment, rehabilitation is also typically covered. 

What is a Waiting Period?

It is the period from the date of the injury to when the workers’ compensation benefits start accruing. The waiting period may be paid retroactively as determined by your state’s designated retroactive period.

What is the disability date for occupational disease?

The date of injury is set by the first time an employee loses time due to the injury or disability. This time may be paid or unpaid.

What is an IME?

An independent medical exam (IME) is a medical exam of the injured worker by a medical professional other than the treating doctor who conducted the original examination. An insurance company or employer is entitled to an IME to challenge the treating physician’s diagnosis, the recommended treatment plan, or whether the injury is work-related. 

What Happens if Parties Have a Dispute that Cannot be Resolved?

Workers, employers and insurance carriers may file an application for hearings to resolve disputes. The application notifies the state of the dispute and initiates the legal process. Legal disputes can be settled by stipulation, arbitration and proceeding with a formal hearing.

Learn More from a Leader in Workers’ Compensation Insurance.

While the world of Workers’ Compensation might seem complex, you don’t have to go it alone. To learn more about Workers’ Compensation insurance, reach out to the experts at VTC Insurance group. Give us a call at 248.828.3377 or visit vtcins.com. 

This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.