The 4 Types of Workers’ Compensation
There are four basic types of workers’ compensation benefits, or needs workers’ comp covers. Each one relates to different problems that come up from on-the-job injuries. The four categories are:
- medical care
- wage benefits
- supplemental job displacement benefits
- and death benefits.
If you’ve been injured while working, you may be entitled to one or more of these benefits. Here’s a rundown of what they all mean and how they might affect your case.
1. Medical Care
This one is pretty straightforward. If you’re injured on the job, you’ll almost certainly need to see a doctor and get medical attention.
Workers’ comp is supposed to cover all of your medical care costs. This includes emergency services, hospitalization, medical equipment, and physical therapy. It also includes ongoing medical care if needed—even years down the road.
2. Wage Benefits
Wage benefits are also sometimes called “disability benefits.” That’s because they cover lost wages when your injury leads to a disability that keeps you from work. There are temporary disability benefits and permanent disability benefits. Both cover what you lose financially when you can’t return to your job. These benefits also cover partial wage loss if you’re able to return part-time or in limited capacity.
The actual amount you may get for wage benefits depends on the severity of your injury, how it affects your ability to do your job, and the laws of your state. For example, at the time of this publication, Tennessee sets the weekly amount at 2/3 of your average weekly wage. They cap the amount at a maximum based on the statewide average weekly wage.
3. Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits
Also called vocational rehabilitation, this type of benefit covers the costs of training and preparing for a new job if you’re unable to return to your old one.
These benefits might include job training and career counseling—all the support you need to find a new job.
4. Death Benefits
Death benefits cover some of the costs to the family when a person dies from an injury on the job. Families often use some of these benefits to cover funeral and burial expenses.
Finding the Right Workers’ Compensation Attorney
When pursuing a workers’ comp claim, you want to make sure your attorney understands all four types of workers’ compensation benefits and how they relate to your case.
Without a great workers’ comp lawyer on your side, you run the risk of not having everything covered. Months or years down the road, you may have surprise sky-high medical bills related to your injury. It’s important you have someone fighting for you early on to make sure workers’ comp covers those future costs.
Our Memphis workers’ comp attorneys help figure out your specific needs and fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve. What’s more, we don’t get paid a penny unless you win.
With us on your side, you can have peace of mind and focus on what matters most: getting better.
To get started, call us today at 901-327-2100 or fill out the form below.