People who are injured at work often worry about what the injury will mean for them. In some cases, they may be wary of seeking medical care or reporting the injury to their employer because of fear of what’s going to happen. Ultimately, it’s always best to report the injury and get medical attention for it.
A work injury can change a family’s financial situation almost immediately, particularly if the employee is living paycheck to paycheck or is the only income earner in the home. If they can’t return to work right away, the household can instantly lose all income. While it’s true that the worker may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, those take time to come through, which can be financially devastating.
Partial wage replacement
Some workers’ compensation cases involve partial wage replacement benefits. This is only equal to a certain percentage of the employee’s full wages, and there are limits to how much can be paid out per week. Typically, partial wage replacement benefits are only paid if the employee can’t return to work quickly.
Returning to work
If the employee can return to work, they may have restrictions on what they’re allowed to do. If they’re placed on light duty, they may have their hours cut, which can have a negative impact on their income. It’s sometimes possible to receive partial workers’ compensation benefits.
One expense that injured workers shouldn’t have to worry about is the medical care associated with the on-the-job injury. Workers’ compensation should cover those expenses. It’s sometimes necessary to appeal decisions regarding workers’ compensation because injured workers don’t always receive what they’re due right away.