Disability Law

Are medical and vocational rehabilitation costs covered under worker's comp?

By Jodi Ginsberg

What is Worker's Compensation?

Worker's compensation, or more colloquially worker's comp, refers to a type of insurance which provides certain benefits to employees that are injured on the job such as income due to lost wages and medical treatment. Additionally, the employee relinquishes their right to sue the employer for negligence once they file a worker's compensation claim. Oftentimes, the trade-off between the assured, limited coverage versus the relinquishing of legal recourse is referred to as "the compensation bargain."

What is covered and not covered?

While there are some differences between state worker's compensation laws, the underlying intention and premise of worker's comp benefits is the same. For instance, in the state of Georgia, any employer who employs three or more individuals, regardless of full-time or part-time status, must provide worker's compensation insurance. They must also provide the injured employee, at their expense, proper medical care for the on-the-job injury.

Additionally, in cases involving the loss of a limb or the death of the employee is the case, worker's compensation benefits are also provided. For instance, if you lose an arm or a leg and this causes you to take a lower paying job or position, you are entitled to benefits to cover the loss of wages. Similarly, if you die as a result of the industry, your spouse and children are entitled to benefits.

Other benefits that may be necessary

In addition to the above, not all of the benefits provided by Worker's Compensation Insurance involve lost wages and medical care. Sometimes it is necessary to provide the injured employee with either rehabilitation benefits or vocational benefits. If this is the case, you will receive these benefits should there be an injury rehabilitation period involved, or if you need vocational training in order to perform a different job or have to take on a new position in the company where you were injured.

Worker's comp rehab benefits apply to a variety of circumstances when they become necessary due to the on-the-job injury you have incurred. These include:

• Prosthesis and learning how to perform your job with the artificial limb
• Physical therapy required in order so that you can function and perform your job normally
• Speech therapy
• Vocational therapy (learning how to perform a different job)

If you need further information regarding any of the above or have any questions, please call contact us by visiting our website or sending us a comment using the form below.

Full post as published by Georgia Workers Compensation blog on July 20, 2010 (boomark / email).