Workers' compensation insurance, also known as workman's comp, provides benefits to employees who get injured or sick from a work-related cause. It also includes disability benefits, missed wage replacement and death benefits. Workers' comp also reduces your liability for work-related injuries and illnesses.
1. The employee reports an injury to the employer. To make a workers' comp claim, the employee's injury or illness must be work-related. ... For less immediate concerns, injured workers should go to a doctor to get a diagnosis and receive a medical report to file with the workers' comp claim.
In both cases, the amount of money you receive is calculated with a few benefits in mind - including wages and future medical treatment. In closing, workers' compensation does not pay your full salary, but you are entitled to part of your salary.
The amount you pay for workers' compensation is a specific rate for every $100 of your company's payroll. Your premium is based on the type of work done by your employees (classification rate), your experience modifier (claims history), and your payroll (per $100).
Workers' compensation covers most work-related injuries—but not all. Generally, workers' comp doesn't cover injuries that happen because you were intoxicated or using illegal drugs.
If you are collecting workers' compensation benefits because you say that you are too injured to work, and then you get caught performing demanding work that you supposedly are unable to do, you may be accused of fraud and may have to pay a fine or restitution. You may even be sentenced to time in prison.
| State | Report the Accident to Your Employer in Writing* | File a Workers' Compensation Claim** |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | As soon as possible | 1 year |
| Arkansas | As soon as possible | 2 years |
| California | 30 days | 1 year |
| Colorado | 4 days (to maintain full benefits eligibility) | 2 years |
10 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Workers' Comp Claim
Some of the main reasons why workers' compensation insurers deny claims are the following: your injury was unwitnessed. ... you filed a workers' compensation claim after you were fired or laid off. you refused to give the insurance company a recorded statement or refused to sign medical authorizations.
Yet No Comments