WORKERS COMPENSATION Part II
An additional reference page for Employers
Workers Compensation insurance can be a very complex and confusing requirement for business owners. The laws of workers compensation vary from state to state and all carry strict guidelines. Pittsburgh’s broad economy allows many different types of employers to become very successful and staff a large number of employees. Ensuring that you as a business owner and your employees are safely covered can be overwhelming if not done correctly. Many details are involved when writing these policies and in the event of a claim you will want to know your employees are in good hands. Please inquire if you have any questions at all we can help!
DO I NEED WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE?
Employers have a legal responsibility to their employees to make the workplace safe. However, accidents happen even when every reasonable safety measure has been taken.
To protect employers from lawsuits resulting from workplace accidents and to provide medical care and compensation for lost income to employees hurt in workplace accidents, in almost every state, businesses are required to buy workers compensation insurance. Workers compensation insurance covers workers injured on the job, whether they’re hurt on the workplace premises or elsewhere, or in auto accidents while on business. It also covers work-related illnesses.
WHAT DOES WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE DO?
Workers compensation provides payments to injured workers, without regard to who was at fault in the accident, for time lost from work and for medical and rehabilitation services. It also provides death benefits to surviving spouses and dependents.
Workers compensation insurance must be bought as a separate policy. Although in-home business and business owners policies (BOPs) are sold as package policies, they don’t include coverage for workers’ injuries.
WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE: STATE SPECIFIC INFORMATION
Each state has different laws governing the amount and duration of lost income benefits, the provision of medical and rehabilitation services and how the system is administered. For example, in most states there are regulations that cover whether the worker or employer can choose the doctor who treats the injuries and how disputes about benefits are resolved.
