Workers’ compensation insurance covers medical costs and lost wages for work-related injuries and illnesses. This policy is required in almost every state for businesses that have employees.
Medical expenses Coverage
A painter falls off a ladder while working on a ceiling and breaks a leg. His workers’ compensation policy pays for the ambulance ride to the hospital, surgery, medications, and physical rehabilitation.
When an accident happens at a workplace, workers’ compensation covers the cost of immediate care, such as an ambulance ride or an emergency room visit. It also helps pay for surgical procedures, medications, hospital stays, and other medical bills. Ongoing care, such as continuing medication and physical rehabilitation, is also covered.
Compensation for fatal injuries Coverage
An electrician accidentally touches a live wire, goes into cardiac arrest, and dies. The electrical company’s workers’ comp policy covers the cost of the funeral and burial. It also provides financial support to the electrician’s spouse and children.
When a work-related incident is fatal, workers’ compensation pays death benefits that cover funeral expenses and help support the deceased individual’s family.
Lost income Coverage
An HVAC installer accidentally lowers an air-conditioner unit on his foot and breaks several bones. The installer has to stay off his feet for a month, which prevents him from working. The installation company’s workers’ comp policy pays part of the wages that would have been earned during the month of missed work.
A serious injury can prevent an employee from returning to work for days, weeks, or even months. Workers’ compensation often pays for part of the wages lost while an employee is recovering from a workplace injury or occupational illness.
Rehabilitation Coverage
Your disabled employee may also receive a Transferable Skills Analysis. This helps find other roles for them where they can learn new skills and work with their disability.
Workers’ comp can help cover your employee’s ongoing care. This includes ongoing physical therapy or vocational rehabilitation to help them learn new skills so that they can return to work in a different role. Workers’ comp can even help cover any new training and certifications.
Media coverage
Sometimes a work-related injury or illness can leave your employee disabled. If an employee who slips in the office and breaks her wrist may be partially disabled and continue to work, but only for half days until it heals.
If your disabled employee has to take time away from work to recover, workers’ compensation can help them recover some of their lost income until they return to work. If your employee has a permanent disability, workers’ comp can give them disability benefits for life.
For almost all businesses in the United States, yes. Workers’ compensation insurance usually isn’t optional. While workers’ comp laws vary by state, small businesses typically need a policy in place as soon as they hire their first employee.
Even when not required by law, this policy provides important protection against medical expenses and employee lawsuits related to workplace injuries. You can rely on workers’ comp if an employee needs medical care or time off due to a workplace injury – or if an injured employee sues you for failing to prevent an accident.
If you don’t carry workers’ comp, your business will be responsible for any medical bills and legal fees. And most states levy costly penalties for noncompliance.
A serious workplace injury could financially devastate your business. Many small businesses can’t afford to pay medical bills out of pocket, whether it’s a treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome or a broken leg.
Without workers’ comp coverage, both you and your employees are left in a difficult situation.
Your clients don’t want to deal with the expense and hassle of a workplace injury. That’s why they might require contractors who work for them to carry their own business insurance, including workers’ comp.
This requirement limits legal liability for the client. Independent contractors with business insurance are more likely to seek payment from their insurance companies (instead of the client) if they are injured while working on a project.
Want to learn more about this policy? Our team understands the risk associated with different industries and can help map your requirements with the right coverage. Get in touch with us today for a customised policy.
It might be time to switch insurers whenever the service that your existing insurer provides doesn’t meet your needs. For example, if you have a poor claims experience or an unexplained rate increase, it might be time to consider other options
If you cancel a previous policy before a new policy is effective, you could run into some serious financial problems.
Contact us today to help you with multiple options to choose from.