Worker’s Compensation

Everyone has heard of worker’s compensation, and most companies give employees this benefit when or if an employee is injured on the job. But, what exactly do worker’s compensation laws entail? Can each company individually determine how much compensation they will give to employees? Here are some basic facts about worker’s compensation that will help you understand what your rights are if you’re ever injured on the job.

It’s important to remember that each state has its own worker’s compensation laws that will make your company liable for certain injuries, so in most cases, negligence on the part of the company does not need to be proven. It’s also a good idea to make sure that the state will offer you worker’s compensation insurance if you own or work for a very small company (under 5 employees), are a farmer, or an independent contractor.

While most people tend to think of worker’s compensation as a way to pay a worker for traumatic injuries that occurred while working, smaller injuries are also covered by worker’s comp—as long as the injury occurred while the employee was doing any work-related activity, or was “on the clock.” Injuries that are covered by worker’s compensation usually include back injury due to lifting heavy boxes and equipment, injury due to operating certain machinery in the workplace, and slipping and falling on wet surfaces.

If you own a small business or are an independent contractor, you may still want to consider getting worker’s compensation insurance for yourself, in case you are ever hurt on the job and need to cover medical expenses.