Workers Compensation - Areas of Law

Workers Compensation laws may entitle you to certain benefits if you have been injured on the job. These benefits may include payment of medical bills, compensation for lost wages, vocational rehabilitation, permanent partial disability benefits, or total disability benefits. Your employer's workers' compensation insurance pays for these benefits.

Injuries typically covered by workers' comp include traumatic physical injuries, repeated trauma injuries, mental injuries, and occupational diseases.

If You've Been Injured on the Job

If you're injured while at work, you should notify your employer as quickly as possible. Deadlines will vary from state to state, but your ability to receive benefits may be limited if you wait to notify your employer.

Promptly seek medical treatment and tell the doctor that your injury occurred in connection with your job. Then also attempt to find the name of your employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier. Your company may be required to post this information in a place that's visible to workers.

After you've received medical treatment, make sure that you formally notify your employer, in writing, before the deadline to receive workers' compensation benefits passes.

If you receive workers' compensation following an injury, you cannot sue your employer for additional compensation for the injury. You may, however, be able to file a lawsuit against others involved in your injury. For example, if your injury was the result of a defective machine, you might be able to sue the machine manufacturer. A workers' compensation lawyer can advise you of your legal options.

Federal government employees, those who worked on nuclear weapons, maritime workers, and coal miners would be covered under one of several federal workers' compensation programs.