Workers’ Compensation FAQ

As a type of insurance, workers’ compensation is provided to employees who have been injured while performing the duties of their occupation.

Workers’ compensation benefits can include temporary, total or partial disability, and will cover medical expenses and lost wages. Death benefits may also be extended to family members whose loved one was killed while on the job.

The majority of workers’ compensation claims are paid to workers who have been injured or become ill while working. A smaller percentage is extended to those who have become disabled while working.

In 2011, more than 340,000 sprains and strains were reported to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, 180,000 back injuries were cited for that year.

Construction, health and human services, law enforcement, and the transportation industries are reported to be the most dangerous according to data on fatal workplace accidents.

Yes, employers will have a list of approved physicians and medical facilities. Be sure to review your employer’s workers’ compensation rules and regulations to determine if you are able to visit your own physician.

Yes. Some employers are exempt from having adequate insurance coverage in companies that have less than five employees, or if they are a casual employer who has less than three employees. The agriculture industry is one example of such types of employers.

In some circumstances an attorney may not be necessary, though typically, workers find it exceptionally difficult to get an adequate amount of compensation. It is usually when an employer tries to diminish the severity of an injury claim that an attorney should be consulted.

Contact our accomplished workers’ compensation lawyers for help getting the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled.

If your claim is denied, you may wish to appeal the decision. Contact an experienced and trustworthy workers’ compensation attorney for advice on how best to proceed.

Gordon & Partners provides free consultations to anyone who needs help with their workers’ compensation claim.

Survivor benefits may be available through workers’ compensation for a spouse or child dependents. This is a complicated issue, however, and survivors should contact an attorney for guidance.