What's workers' compensation?
Question
I was injured at work – What’s workers’ compensation?
Answer
Workers’ compensation are benefits paid by insurance that injured workers may receive and must be carried by their employer.
Workers' Compensation Defined
Workers’ compensation is a system created by your state legislature to provide for injured workers. Prior to the creation of a workers’ compensation system, injured workers often had no remedy or benefits to sustain them when they were unable to work and earn. In limited cases, prior to the creation of the workers’ compensation system, injured workers’ only remedy might be to sue their employer and prove that the employer was somehow negligent or at fault for the injuries.
As a result of the workers’ compensation system, however, workers no longer have to sue their employers, or prove fault, on account of their injuries. Rather, injured workers may receive benefits paid by insurance that must be carried by their employer. These benefits can include partial weekly wage replacement while you are hurt and out of work, medical treatment, and other payments.
Prove You Were Hurt at Work
Therefore, instead of having to show that someone negligently caused their injuries as a prerequisite to recovery, injured workers need only show that they were hurt at work. No fault need be shown. Each state has different rules and features of their workers’ compensation system, and how long you can collect, what you can collect, and what you are entitled to various on a state-to-state basis. You are best served by consulting with a local workers’ compensation attorney to better understand your rights.