In the United States, workers’ compensation is a system that can provide financial assistance to employees who have been injured while performing work-related duties. If you were ever injured on the job, you may face a long and costly journey to recovering fully. As a Maryland workers compensation lawyer from Cohen & Cohen can explain, workers’ compensation is a useful tool for minimizing the overall financial impact of their injury or condition so that you can focus on recovery.
Continue reading with us today for a general overview of workers’ compensation that will help you build a basic understanding of the system and what injuries may qualify you to file.
What are the main types of Workers’ Compensation?
The rules and regulations for workers compensation are generally set in place by state. There is a general lack of federal involvement in regulation of workers’ compensation systems. With that being said, policies vary quite widely by state.
There are two main categories of workers’ compensation that a person can file for based on the severity and type of injury they sustained:
What is coverage A?
Generally coverage A is a form of compensation that allows injured or ill employees to draw from state-mandated employer insurance. Coverage A provides compensation for things like medical care, rehab, and in some cases for death-related expenses. Almost every state offers some form of coverage A, with the exception of Texas. Again, the policies vary widely by state. One should speak with
What is coverage B?
Provides compensation to those who have expenses that exceed the minimum benefit amount provided by Coverage A. Generally, Coverage B is obtained by means of legal action, when an employee brings a successful lawsuit against their employer. Usually, in order to receive coverage B, you will need the assistance of a lawyer that specializes in representing clients with workers’ compensation related matters.
Generally, workers that elect to accept workers’ compensation benefits provided by means of Coverage A, may be waiving their right to file a lawsuit against the employer in question, although there are some exceptions to this general rule.
What are common workplace injuries that workers’ compensation can cover?
Lifting Injuries
Regardless of profession, injuries are commonly a result of lifting heavier things. When done incorrectly, lifting can cause injury to the back, neck and spine.
Repetitive Strain Injuries
Many jobs involve repetitive motions that cause strain to the body. Over a long period of time spent performing the same motion at work, injuries can occur which are referred to as repetitive strain injuries.
Back, Neck and Shoulder Injuries
Whether you work in an office setting, or in a more physically demanding environment such as construction, back, neck, and shoulder injuries are possible. Although these injuries may seem to be caused by the inherent risks of the job responsibilities, you may still be able to qualify to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Perhaps one of the most common causes of workplace injury. When workers are not adequately made aware of potential slip risks by their employer, or are not required to wear appropriate slip-resistant footwear, and a fall occurs that results in an injury, you may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits
