Established by Utah Legislature in 1917, workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system that covers medical expenses for employees with work related injuries and illnesses. It also helps offset wages lost during the time of the injury or illness. This insurance coverage is paid for by the employer and cannot be deducted from wages. Once an employee agrees to accept workers’ compensation and its benefits, they give up the ability to sue the company for the injury or any negligence. The benefits that workers’ compensation can provide may vary. While the most common is coverage of an injury, there are also types that cover disability, economic loss, health insurance, and even life insurance. Coverage mostly depends on the state’s jurisdiction and what guidelines the employer has set.
Employees with workers’ compensation can come to expect medical expenses, disability, and vocational rehabilitation to be paid for. Medical expenses that can be covered include doctor bills, hospital bills, and medical treatment, just to name a few. Some coverage can also allow the employee to choose the medical provider that they prefer. While there are many benefits and options pertaining to workers’ compensation, it is essentially there to help employees make sure they are being taken care of and to make sure their families will be taken care of.
As stated, workers’ compensation is not limited only to injuries. Illnesses can also be covered, as long as they can be proven to have originated in the workplace. Consequently, the illness must be severe enough to put the employee out of work for a long period of time. The same applies to injuries. Injuries that are incurred while either working at the workplace or “on-the-job” are covered by workers’ compensation, and they must also be severe enough to put the employee out of work for a substantial amount of time.
Not all companies or employers offer workers’ compensation. Only certain states require this type of insurance for employers. As an employee, the benefits you can receive depend on where you work, who you work for, and the local and state legislation. However, your employer is required to post its workers’ compensation insurance address and phone number at the employment site, or indicate that the company is self-insured.