7 Things To Know About Workers' Comp Benefits

Workers' compensation benefits are awarded to a worker who has been injured in the course and scope of his employment. You will be entitled to certain benefits, including receiving a percentage of your regular wages, payment of your medical bills and other benefits.

Here are seven other things you should know about your workers' compensation benefits:

1. You can receive benefits even if you were responsible for your injuries or caused the accident.
2. You cannot sue your employer and you cannot receive compensation for pain and suffering.
3. You may be able to bring a third-party lawsuit if your work injury was caused by a defectively designed or manufactured product or piece of equipment, or against another contractor or third party not employed by your employer. In these cases, you can receive compensation for pain and suffering.
4. You might have to be treated by a physician chosen by your employer, but you may be able to request your own doctor to treat you. Ask your workers' compensation attorney about this.
5. You can be reimbursed for your mileage and other transportation expenses for your medical visits.
6. You can receive benefits even if no specific incident caused your injury, such as long-term exposure to chemicals or toxic substances that result in lung or skin ailments or cancer. This is an occupational injury.
7. If you are permanently disabled from working as a result of work injury, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. You must show that you are disabled from any gainful employment. This requires a very strong showing and is usually supported by medical documents and expert testimony from medical and vocational professionals.

Other things to know about workers' compensation benefits can best be explained to you by a workers' compensation attorney, who can ensure that all the benefits to which you are entitled are promptly delivered to you.