Workers' Compensation Benefits FAQ

Questions:

• What is workers' compensation?
• Does workers' compensation cover just my medical bills?
• Are all on-the-job injuries covered by workers' compensation?
• Does workers' compensation cover only injuries or does it also cover long-term problems and illnesses?
• Do I have to be injured at my workplace to be covered by workers' compensation?
• Are all employees covered by workers' compensation?
• Can I be treated by my own doctor and, if not, can I trust a doctor provided by my employer?
• Can I ever sue my employer in court over a work-related injury?

Answer:

What is workers' compensation?

Workers' compensation, also known as workmans' comp, is a state-mandated insurance program that provides compensation to employees who suffer job-related injuries and illnesses. While the federal government administers a workers' comp program for federal and certain other types of employees, each state has its own laws and programs for workers' compensation. For up-to-date information on workers' comp in your state, contact your state's workers' compensation office. (You can find links to the appropriate office in your state on the State Workers' Compensation Officials page of the U.S. Department of Labor's website.)

In general, an employee with a work-related illness or injury can get workers' compensation benefits regardless of who was at fault -- the employee, the employer, a coworker, a customer, or some other third party. In exchange for these guaranteed benefits, employees usually do not have the right to sue the employer in court for damages for those injuries.