Worker’s Compensation Questions Answered
Brian O Sutter
Workers’ Compensation
Port Charlotte residents who go to work every day don’t expect to find themselves injured on the job. Like every other day, they expect to get into their vehicle, drive to work, put in their day, then come home safe and sound. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen, and workplace injuries can happen in any industry. While workplace injuries might be more common in “risky” professions like construction, manufacturing, or driving, they can happen anywhere. A slip on a wet floor at a restaurant while serving food to customers can lead to a workplace injury. Tripping over an unsecured cable in the office can lead to a slip and fall injury. Even burning your hand on a freezer component may lead to missed time and the need for medical attention.
When workplace injuries occur, worker’s compensation is in place to take care of employees until they’re recovered. Worker’s compensation is a type of insurance that Port Charlotte employers with at least 1 employee must provide, and it pays out for these injuries so business owners won’t need to pay for injuries themselves out of pocket. While worker’s compensation insurance coverage may come with a cost, that cost is much lower than the tens of thousands of dollars or more it would take to pay an employee’s medical bills and missed wages should an injury occur.
Most Port Charlotte workers will never need to learn about worker’s compensation, but those who do are grateful if they can know a little about it before the need arises. Navigating worker’s compensation while suffering from an injury can lead to excess stress placed on the entire experience. A few of the most common worker’s compensation questions answered are:
• Who pays for worker’s compensation? – While an employee may pay in part or full for their own health insurance benefits, worker’s compensation insurance is paid for by your employer. Worker’s compensation coverage is mandatory in 48 out of 50 states, including the state of Florida. The only states that have optional worker’s compensation coverage are Texas and New Jersey.
• What does worker’s compensation cover? – If an employee becomes ill or injured while on the job, and due to properly carrying out their necessary tasks, worker’s compensation insurance will cover medical expenses, lost wages, the cost of ongoing care if necessary, and funeral expenses if an employee loses the battle with their illness or injury.
• When does worker’s compensation not cover injuries? – If an employee faces an injury while taking care of their tasks in an appropriate manner, worker’s compensation will help to cover the related damages. However, there are some instances in which worker’s compensation is not required to cover injuries. If an employee is injured in an altercation they started, if the employee was intoxicated at the workplace, if an employee is injured intentionally, or if an employee sustains emotional injuries not related to a physical injury, worker’s compensation may not be sought to cover damages.
• What should an employee do when an accident occurs? – When an accident occurs on the job, the situation should be reported to a supervisor or management as soon as possible. A report will be drawn up outlining the place, date, time, and circumstances of the accident. If the incident revolves around an illness rather than injury, the report should be drawn up as soon as the illness is diagnosed.
• How are claims made? – With the report drawn up by a supervisor or management, the supervisor may then file a claim with worker’s compensation. Claims will include business information, all of the information from the report, the estimated amount of time the employee will lose, and any witness statements.