If you have suffered an injury while working, or if you have been diagnosed with an occupational disease, you are eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. While most employers must keep this special insurance coverage, every state sets its own laws regarding workers’ compensation. When these laws are reviewed each year, the states usually adjust the maximum allowable payment per week as well as the minimum allowable payment per week. These monetary values can vary significantly from one state to another. Looking At the Dollar Amounts For example, in Massachusetts, as of October 1, 2017, the maximum allowable amount was $1,338.05 while the minimum allowable amount was $267.61. In Louisiana, as of August 31, 2017, the minimum payable amount was $175 per week, which is almost $500 less per week than the maximum payable amount of $657. As of January 1, 2018, the minimum payable amount in Florida is $20, which has remained the same since 1972. In Tennessee, for injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2018, the minimum payable amount is $139.35 while the maximum benefit is $1,021.90. Of course, these figures change annually based on state legislation. You can check with your state website or a workers’ compensation attorney to get the current figures. How Workers’ Compensation Is Calculated When establishing maximum and minimum figures, state lawmakers look at the average salary for that state. For example, in Tennessee, the maximum payable amount is based on 110% of the state’s average weekly wage. Workers will receive two-thirds their regular pay, but if their regular pay exceeds the maximum payout, they will not get any additional compensation. Workers’ compensation does include medical benefits, which will cover the costs of any medical care needed to treat the injury or illness that resulted from the individual performing his or her work duties. Workers’ compensation claims can be challenging, however, so the claimant must provide sufficient evidence that shows the injury or illness was the result of his or her work-related duties. The worker needs to get immediate medical care and report the injury to his or her employer, ensuring an accident report is completed in detail. Consult With A Workers’ Compensation Attorney If you have been injured on the job, or if you are suffering from an occupational disease that was recently diagnosed, you should consult with a workers’ compensation attorney. Because the laws do vary from one state to another, you want to get a lawyer who is licensed to handle workplace injuries in your state. On this page, complete the Free Case Evaluation Form. A lawyer in your area will review the details of your case and determine the best way to proceed with your claim. The attorney will be able to tell you how much you could receive in weekly benefits based on your regular salary and the date of the injury or illness. Time does matter, because a strict statute of limitations does apply. Get your claim on track today. Additional Resources Workers' Compensation By State What Damages Can I Receive For My Claim?
