Getting Through the Storm: 4 Types of Workmen’s Compensation Benefits When You Are Unable to Work

If you are unable to work, workmen’s compensation benefits are usually available. With all that is happening in the world today, it is good to know that there is a safety net available. Workmen compensation is a benefit that most employed people have to help them out when times are tough. 

While there are subtle differences between each state, most have the same four benefits if you find yourself unable to work because of disabilities, illnesses, or other problems.

• Medical Coverage

If you have been injured at work, workmen’s compensation benefits help with medical coverage. The coverage pays for visits to the hospital and doctor’s visits. It also covers costs relating to medications, diagnostic tests, and medical equipment like crutches. It also pays for nursing care and physical therapy, too. The benefits are not bound to limits the same way that typical health insurance coverage is. But, states do have different coverage features, like some pay for chiropractic or other alternative care, while other states do not. 

Medical coverage pays for different types of coverage. Most states have a provider network of physicians who work in occupational medicine. The coverage also often includes a program that requires pre-approval before certain procedures are performed. It also includes managers who look at pharmacy benefits to keep the costs affordable, and there is a medical care manager to help get employees back to work as soon as possible. 

• Disability Coverage

Unfortunately, some people are disabled after work-related injuries or illnesses. There are different types of disability coverage based on injury results. They are either temporary total or partial or permanent total or partial. They are based on how long the disability lasts – which would be a short-term injury or one that lasts a lifetime. Total disability is one that prevents an employee from returning to work, while a partial disability is one that changes the way the employee works, like if they lost their hearing or they might have to work from a wheelchair.

When figuring out how to pay for the coverage, states use formulas based on the length and type of disability. The formulas often involve percentages of pay rates and how much work they will miss. 

• Rehabilitation Coverage

If an employee is injured at work, they might need some type of rehabilitation to get back to work. Rehabilitation coverage will cover vocation and psychological rehabilitation, too. 

This coverage is important because some injuries prevent people from going back to work in the same capacity. With rehabilitation coverage, employees can relearn vocational skills that their bodies might not understand how to do. If the injury included psychological distress, that type of rehabilitation can be life-changing, too. 

• Death Coverage

Sadly, some employees do die because of accidents at work. The death coverage benefits in workmen’s compensation pay the survivors. These benefits also pay for burial costs. Death benefits are necessities for survivors, especially if they relied on the income of their deceased family members.