How a Workers’ Compensation Claim Works
We live in a world and age where more and more workers are prone to accidents at the workplace. In order to deal with this pressing problem, the US Government decided to introduce the workers compensation system one century ago.
Since then, tens of millions of injured employees have enjoyed the medical and financial benefits of workers’ compensation.
“What you have to do and the way you have to do it is incredibly simple. Whether you are willing to do it is another matter.” – Peter Drucker
Workers’ Compensation Explained?
Worker’s compensation is a unique form of insurance that provides medical benefits and wage replacement to employees injured during their work in exchange for the right to sue their employer. This is the oldest type of insurance program in the United States. Since 1900, employees who were hurt while working had to file a lawsuit against their employers. Obviously, this process was extremely time consuming and inefficient. Moreover, most workers were losing their cases or had to wait a very long time for any potential financial compensation.
After 1900, after the workers’ compensation program was implemented, the number of employees who could capitalize on the financial and medical benefits offered by this program has increased exponentially.
Modern Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Employees who are hurt or injured on the job (or in case of death, their families) enjoy a predetermined level of compensation. The main benefit of this system is that the costly and burdensome process of litigation is removed. There are over 55 workers’ compensation programs active in the United States, each of them varying in terms of benefits and compensation. There are also over 1,200 commercial insurers that operate at a nationwide level.
Most compensation programs available repay lost earnings, pay for medical expenses or pay for the loss of potential earnings. Some of them also pay for physical therapy, training for a new job or cost of buying a wheelchair.
Filing a Worker’s Compensation Claim
Worker’s compensation covers injuries sustained at work or illnesses suffered from long-term exposure to strenuous or hazardous activities. These can range from hearing loss from drilling in a mine, to a broken leg resulting from a fall, to a mental condition resulting from spending too much time in front of the computer. In case an employee is injured at the workplace, he or she should consult an attorney and file a claim with the employer ASAP. The employer should offer their employee a claim form to complete. If the employer contests the claim, this would result in a court hearing.
Crane Rigging and Signal Person Qualifications
Workers’ compensation works hand in hand with safety and risk management. Crane operators should receive a proper amount of training before being allowed to work. As a company, you should strive to avoid accidents as much as possible, because each worker’s compensation claim is paid out of your pocket. You need to remember that a safe, productive, and inspired workplace is a goal worth striving for.
If you need to take part in an extensive safety training program and get your human resource management to the next level, do not hesitate to contact The Integrated Group. At The Integrated Group, it all comes down to delivering the best safety training programs that are designed to create a solid change and improvement in your company.
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