Benefits for Injured Employees

If you are injured and unable to work as a result, there may be several options for you to collect benefits and help you make ends meet as you recover. Which type of compensation you could qualify for will depend on the specifics of your illness or injury. Read the information below for an overview of benefits injured employees could qualify for.

Disability Insurance Benefits

If you want to protect your income in the event that you become unable to work, you may want to consider purchasing your own disability insurance policy. This type of insurance typically covers about sixty percent of an employee’s gross income. It will likely amount to close to your normal take-home pay. These policies can be exponentially beneficial if you sustain an injury not covered by worker’s compensation. 

Having this protection will allow you to focus on getting yourself healthy rather than fretting over how to pay your mortgage and other mounting bills. There are long-term and short-term disability insurance policies, so take your time and review the terms wisely before making a selection.

Worker’s Compensation Benefits

Employees who are injured or fall ill as a direct result of their job may be eligible for worker’s compensation coverage. Employers are required to carry a worker’s compensation policy in most states. The policies cover healthcare and pay to workers who are approved to receive the benefits. Requirements for worker’s compensation coverage vary widely by state. Timeframes for filing are also mandated by the state, so understand the deadlines to ensure you file your claim in a timely manner.

Social Security Disability Benefits

Social Security disability benefits are paid by the government to certain people and their family members if they are considered insured. In this instance, insured refers to someone who has recently worked the required amount of time and has paid Social Security taxes on their earnings. There is also a supplemental security income program that provides benefits to both adults and children with limited income. The two programs are different but subject to the same medical requirements. 

For applicants who meet the income requirements, monthly benefits are paid to those with medical conditions that are expected to last at least one year or result in the person’s death.

Consider contacting a medical malpractice attorney, like one from Cohen & Cohen, P.C., today to help you determine whether you may be eligible for some type of disability benefits if you are sick or injured and unable to work.