What Kind of Benefits Can I Receive from Workers' Compensation?

By Staff Reporter Sep 14, 2021 12:28 PM EDT

After getting injured on the job, you can start your recovery without worrying about your income because of workers' compensation. Workers' compensation is a state-mandated insurance policy that allows your employer to provide you coverage for medical bills, lost wages, and other benefits. This includes permanent disability, job displacement, and death benefits.

What Benefits Do I Receive Through Workers' Compensation?

Workers' compensation helps you stay financially stable while you are undergoing medical treatment. With this coverage, you can keep your job and return when you are healed.

Lost Income

In California, you will be typically filed as temporarily disabled when you receive two-thirds of your lost wages. However, there are limitations. This means that you can receive a maximum of $1,215.27 per week, and your minimum payment is $182.29 a week. You must miss at least three days of work due to your illness or injuries. There is also the opportunity to receive two-thirds of your lost wages if you are able to return to work with stipulations. For example, if you are only able to work part-time, you can have the rest of your income covered.

Permanent Disability Benefits

If your injury results in permanent disability, you can receive workers' compensation benefits based on the severity of the injury. A medical evaluator has to investigate your injuries and determine if you will be unable to continue work in the future. The disability you received is rated within the workers' compensation system. Factors that are taken into consideration are the type of impairment you have, your line of work, and your age. A disability percentage is calculated, where you can receive benefits based on how disabled you are.

Medical Costs

Your medical bills can be covered under the workers' compensation as well. The first treatment is often given to you by a doctor that your employer chooses. This includes any necessary medical treatment, such as ambulance treatments, travel expenses to and from the medical center, and workplace rehabilitation services.

Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits

A permanent disability can put you out of work, and if your job cannot provide an alternative position for you, you can become unemployed. Suppose your employer cannot help you fill a modified role at your job within 60 days of being diagnosed with a disability. In that case, you can receive supplemental job displacement benefits. You can receive a $6,000 voucher to help you get job training, licensing, tools, equipment, tests, certification, and anything else to help you secure a new job. This will help increase your education and skills, giving you a second chance in the workforce in a new industry.

Death Benefits

If your loved one died due to a work-related injury or illness, you could receive death benefits from workers' compensation. The amount is $10,000 for injuries after January 1st, 2013, or $5,000 for injuries before this date. You can receive between $250,000 to $320,000 depending on the number of dependents. Death benefits are paid at a total temporary disability rate but do not fall below $224.00 per week. Dependent minors are covered until their 18th birthday.

Understanding Workplace Compensation Benefits

To help you understand how benefits are calculated, attorneys Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld recommend that you speak with a supportive attorney. They can explain what workers' compensation benefits you may receive.