In Florida, most businesses have to carry workers’ compensation insurance. It provides businesses with a way to offer financial help and income support to employees who get hurt or sick on the job. It also frees the employer from a certain degree of liability for the injuries. Rather than the employee suing for their injury costs, they can file against workers’ compensation instead.
Each state maintains its own workers’ compensation system, and workers’ compensation laws can differ depending on where you work. However, most regulations cover a variety of injuries or illnesses that might arise in the workplace.
Should an employee have a qualifying injury, they can file against workers’ compensation insurance. The policy will then provide them with help for medical bills, lost income and other assistance during their recovery. The catch is that to successfully file a claim, the injury must relate to the employee’s work. Therefore, workers’ comp injuries usually fall into several categories. These include:
1. Sudden Accidents & Machinery Injuries
An employee might sustain an injury when they fall off a ladder or get hurt by a piece of machinery. But, they might also get hurt simply walking back to their desk from the restroom.
In the former case, because the injury resulted from the employee’s duties, they might qualify for workers’ compensation. Additionally, they might qualify in the latter case, even though they were walking back from the restroom. They were still on company property when the accident occurs.
2. Repetitive Motion Injuries
A repetitive motion injury is one that develops from years of performing the same tasks over and over. Eventually, these tasks might damage or strain certain body parts. They might require medical treatment, rehab or even surgery. Sometimes, they can lead to permanent disabilities. Because these injuries might arise in any line of work, an employee might qualify for workers’ compensation.
3. Exposure Injuries
There are hazards in every business environment. However, some people work in industries where they face toxic exposure risks. These risks might arise both from the materials they work with and from the surrounding environment. Should they develop a chronic illness because of the exposure, they might qualify for workers’ compensation.
4. Car Wreck & Offsite Injuries
When traveling in a car on duty, an employee is working. Therefore, should they have an accident or get into a wreck and sustain injuries, then they might qualify for workers’ compensation. However, these rules will not apply to someone commuting to and from work, or to those who go off the clock to go to lunch or run a personal errand.
All in all, if an employee can prove that their injury resulted from a work-related hazard, then workers’ compensation might be in the cards. That’s why as a business owner, it’s imperative that you always have this coverage in place.
Also Read: How to Tailor a BOP to Meet Your Company's Needs
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