If you have been hurt on the job, one of the things you should seek is workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation coverage is there to help you get medical care and financial support if you are hurt as a result of doing your job.
The amount your claim is worth will depend on a number of factors, so it’s hard to give a firm number. Usually, the benefits you are eligible to receive will depend on factors such as:
- How serious your injuries are
- How long you’ll be out of work
- If you are able to return to work and perform your same job in the future
For most cases, medical expenses are completely payable so long as you need care for that injury. If you suffer from a seriously disabling injury, then you may be able to get lifetime wage loss benefits, too.
A portion of your lost earnings should be paid
Once you meet the qualifications, a portion of your lost earnings should be paid out to you. You will not receive your full paycheck. Instead, you usually receive a weekly payment that is two-thirds of your average weekly wages before the accident. In Virginia, you are able to get up to 500 weeks of wages paid, but there are exceptions to that rule as well.
How long will medical care be covered by workers’ compensation?
With any injury, you should expect to receive lifetime medical benefits from workers’ compensation insurance. The payments are made to cover expenses such as the cost of transportation, out-of-pocket medical expenses and prescription costs.
Depending on the severity of your injury, you may also be able to claim permanent partial disability or permanent total disability. If you pass away as a result of your injuries, your family may be able to obtain death benefits, such as wage loss replacement and funeral expenses.
Figuring out how much your case is worth is not straightforward, since these cases can be complex. It’s important to take a good look at how much your medical care is, how much you’ve lost in wages and other factors to get an idea of what to expect.
