If you have suffered a work injury or you have been diagnosed with an occupational disease, you can file a claim for workers' compensation benefits. While these benefits vary from one state to another, there are generally some benefits that are automatic, such as the medical benefits to cover your diagnoses and care. In most states, even if your claim ends up being denied, you will not be responsible for the medical expenses that were covered for you through workers' compensation. The kind and amount of your benefits are dependent on the state laws, the kind of injury and its severity, and how long you will be impacted by the work-related illness or injury. In addition to medical benefits, you are entitled to some other benefits as well. Calculating Workers' Compensation Benefits To determine your weekly wages through workers' compensation, you need to consult with your state laws and a workers' compensation lawyer. While the laws vary from one state to another, you will generally be paid a portion of your regular wages. In most states, it is about two-thirds of your weekly wages but there is usually a maximum payout that is permitted. To reach a settlement, usually, your payable wage is multiplied by 52 to determine how much the insurance would pay you for a year. At that point, it is determined how long you will be out of work. In some states, benefits are only payable for a set number of years. That is how compensation is calculated for a settlement. Your state might offer additional benefits for long-term or permanent injuries that lead to disabilities. Additional compensation might be offered on top of your settlement amount. Other Benefits That Might Be Payable If a work injury or illness leads to death, workers' compensation might be required to cover the funeral expenses. If you have to go to a different line of work, workers' comp might cover vocational retraining expenses so you can go back to making a profitable income. Your workers' compensation attorney can help you with any benefits that you are entitled to receive. Consult With A Workers' Compensation Lawyer Workers' comp settlements vary significantly from one case to another. You should consult with a workers' compensation attorney right away to ensure your claim is filed properly and to make certain that your rights are protected. Because of the complexity of such claims, you need to make sure you have a workplace injury attorney representing you. An attorney will ensure you are treated fairly and can appeal any denials or stoppage of benefits. Because of the way workers' comp claims work, you will not have any out of pocket expenses. Any expenses advanced by the attorney will be reimbursed with your settlement. Your attorney will also be paid out of your settlement as well. Schedule your free case evaluation today so you can determine how you can benefit from a workers' compensation claim. Additional Resources What Does Workers' Compensation Cover? What Types of Injuries Does a Workers’ Compensation Claim Cover?
