Four Benefits of Workers Compensation That You May Not Be Aware Of

Workers who get injured on the job know that they are entitled to benefits that include partial pay and medical care compensation. However, there are other benefits of workers compensation that you may not be aware of. Here are four examples of such benefits:

Death Benefits to Survivors

The death benefits are paid out in case of fatal injuries in the workplace. The beneficiaries are those who were financially dependent on you, such as children and spouses. The benefits are meant to compensate your survivors for the loss of financial support that you used to give them. The benefits can be periodic or lump sum, but they are always a fraction of what you used to earn.

Funeral Costs

In addition to death benefits, some states have workers compensation programs that cover some burial or funeral costs. Since the money may be released after the burial, it is usually paid out to the person who funded the funeral arrangements. In many cases, the person receiving this portion of the benefits must have proof/authority from the nearest relatives, which in most cases is the surviving spouse or child. There is usually a limit to the amount of burial costs to be paid because it is meant for the actual burial and nothing more.

Physical Rehabilitation

Some injuries make it difficult to return to work, even after you have "healed" or gotten over them. For example, if you had a fractured arm, then you might find it difficult to return to work even after the orthopedist has declared you healed. For such injuries, you may need physical rehabilitation to get fit and ready for work again. The rehabilitation may come in the form of physiotherapy or massage therapy. Workers compensation should pay for these rehabilitation costs until you can get back to work.

Vocational Rehabilitation

In some cases, even physical rehabilitation may not help you get back to your work, or any other job, for that matter. For example, a truck driver whose legs have been amputated may find it difficult to get back to his or her job even after reaching his or her point of maximum recovery. If you are in such a situation, then you may need some help to prepare for a new job, either with the current or another employer. This help is what is known as vocational rehabilitation, which may include retraining, employment counseling, and even assistance with employment search.

A workers compensation attorney understands all the benefits you may receive from workers compensation. Knowing what you are entitled to will help you when negotiating for worker's compensation. Contact a representative from a firm like Freedman, Wagner, Tabakman & Weiss for a consultation.


Share