Workers Compensation

Workers compensation is a statutorily created right where employers provide coverage for employees injured in the course and scope of employment. The coverage provides medical expenses for the work related injuries, and lost wages if those are due to the work related injury. There are no other types of damages which may be obtained, except for death, in which case a death benefit can be paid to surviving dependents.

Employees are generally covered while at work and sometimes can be covered while engaging in work related activities other than at their physical work address. Medical benefits can include treatment for preexisting injuries which are exacerbated by the work accident or those that must be treated in order to adequately treat the work related injury.

All physicians who treat injured employees must be authorized by the workers compensation insurance company or self insured employer.

All employers of 4 or more employees must have workers compensation coverage. All employers on construction sites must have coverage when they have one (1) or more employees.

Governmental entities must provide workers compensation benefits as well under the same terms as private employers. The firm only handles State required workers compensation. If an individual is employed by the Federal Government, The United States of America, then they are covered by a Federal Workers Compensation program.

Workers compensation coordinates with and is impacted by many other areas of law including Social Security, both disability and retirement; Medicare; private disability policies, both short and long term; personal injury & wrongful death claims; discrimination claims, including sexual harassment and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act; HIPAA; and labor & employment issues; immigration laws; probate and guardianship law; and health insurance.