Candice Larson
Workers' compensation benefits are payments for injuries or diseases that are related to the work you were doing and it is generally under the compensation law. It is a "no-fault" system. This means it does not matter whose fault the injury was. Even when someone else does something to you on purpose and you get injured, you can receive benefits.
Under the compensation law, the medical benefits available through workers' compensation include hospital and medical expenses that are necessary to identify and treat your injury or illness. Although the details of what is covered vary in each state, workers' compensation generally covers such things as doctor visits, medication, and surgeries. For the most part, only generally acceptable medical practices will be covered. State laws differ on whether you or your employer gets to choose your health care provider, and some states regulate how much the provider may charge for your treatment.
Rehabilitation benefits pay for medical and therapeutic care, like physical therapy, necessary to help you cope with and recover from your injury or illness. They also cover the care and training necessary for you to regain the skills and abilities you need to return to work.
The primary role of disability benefits is to compensate you for wages lost while your injury or illness makes it impossible for you to work. Disabilities fall into one of four categories depending on whether they are total or partial, temporary or permanent.
Most states' workers' compensation programs provide death benefits to people who were related to the deceased worker and were financially dependent on that person. Although most states provide funeral and burial expenses as part of this benefit, the main purpose of the benefit is to compensate dependent family members for the loss of financial support. Most states calculate this benefit as a percentage of the deceased worker's earnings. Some states have maximum and minimum amounts; others provide a lump sum.
