Under the state’s workers’ compensation system, injured employees can receive certain benefits such as payment of medical expenses, temporary and permanent disability compensation and vocational rehabilitation. These benefits are discussed in greater detail in the article below.
Payment of Medical Bills
Injury victims are entitled to receive necessary and reasonable treatment to relieve or cure an injury’s effects. Included in this type of compensation are medical expenses, prescription costs and travel bills are included. Under some workers’ compensation plans, patients may be required to use a company doctor for at least thirty days, and afterwards, the patient can choose a doctor by written request.
Temporary Disability
If an injured worker is forced to take time off work for medical reasons, they may be eligible for temporary disability compensation, which provides the worker with part of their lost wages. There are minimum and maximum limits, but the average is roughly two-thirds of a worker’s weekly gross. Temporary disability payments are given biweekly after a doctor verifies the victim’s inability to continue working.
Permanent Disability
If the worker cannot recover from an injury’s effects, they may be entitled to receive monetary damages. Permanent disability signifies that a victim has lost their ability to compete in the labor market, and the amount paid depends on the limitations imposed by the injury. Permanent disability determination can cost companies many thousands in terms of compensation for future wage losses.
Vocational Rehab
When a person’s injury prevents them from returning to their old job, vocational rehab may come as part of a worker’s comp benefits package, and during rehabilitation, partial income is paid under a maximum limit. In some cases, an employer may make an offer of modified work in lieu of vocational rehab payments.
Going Back to Work
When a worker goes back on the job, if they are paid an amount greater than or equal to what was earned before the injury, workers’ compensation benefits will likely stop. However, if the person is still losing wages, they may still receive benefits but at a lower amount. Visit here to get more details.
Workplace injuries are a common occurrence, but employers are required to have workers’ compensation coverage. Workers’ comp claims don’t always progress the way they should, and many cases require the help of personal injury lawyers in Vermont. If someone is hurt on the job, they can ask McVeigh Skiff LLP, personal injury lawyers in Vermont, to evaluate the case for free.
