If you have been injured or become ill at work, then workers’ compensation can provide valuable benefits to help support you financially during this difficult time. Workers’ compensation is a kind of insurance that employers hold so that there are benefits available to workers who suffer an injury or illness in the course of performing their required job duties. An exclusive remedy, workers’ compensation shields employers from being sued for any negligence that may have caused or contributed to a workplace injury or illness. An employee may still, however, be able to bring suit against a party other than the employer who may be responsible for their injury or illness. This is referred to as a “third party liability lawsuit.” Regardless, workers’ compensation benefits will be important and it is good to know what these benefits may include.
What Do Workers’ Compensation Benefits Include?
There are a range of benefits that may be available to an employee through workers’ compensation. The amount and coverage available will vary mostly depending on the extent of the injury or illness suffered by the employee. One of the central categories of benefits that will be available includes medical benefits.
New Jersey workers’ compensation law dictates that an employer is required to provide an employee who has suffered a work injury or illness with medical, surgical, and hospital benefits. There is to be no co-pau for these services and the benefits are covered 100%. Medical benefits may include coverage for:
- Prescription medication
- Diagnostic testing
- Lab work
- Radiographic studies
- Surgery
- Hospital stays
- All other medical care that may be determined as medically necessary by a doctor
When you are getting medical care that is covered by workers’ compensation benefits, an employer generally has the right to choose which doctor you see for treatment. You will be required to go to the selected doctor unless your employer unreasonably refuses to cover medical care or it is an emergency situation. Should you seek emergency treatment from a doctor of your choosing, you are obligated to inform your employer about this as soon as possible.
You may be entitled to temporary disability benefits as well if you have missed a minimum of seven work days. These benefits will provide partial coverage for lost income as a result of missing work due to your injury or illness. These benefits will give you up to 70% of your weekly wages and may be subject to a cap amount that is updated annually.
You may even be entitled to permanent partial or permanent total disability benefits if a work injury or illness has caused you permanent harm. If you are permanently unable to work or restricted in the work you are able to take on, then you may be awarded this type of benefit to help you recover that income which you are missing out on. In some cases, a worker may also be entitled to amputee benefits or hearing or vision loss.
New Jersey Personal Injury Attorneys
If you have suffered a workplace illness or injury, the Cassidy Law Firm can help you pursue workers’ compensation. We can also help determine whether you may be entitled to further compensation pursuant to a third-party liability claim. Contact us today.