Will Workers’ Comp Cover Employee Negligence?

Insurance Neighbor • January 31, 2019

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What Happens When an Employee Is Negligent?
Injuries Not Covered by Workers' Compensation

  • Self-inflicted injuries : When an employee deliberately inflicts injury on himself or herself, those injuries are not covered by workers' compensation.
  • Injuries sustained while committing a crime : If an employee is injured while committing a crime at work, workers' comp will not cover the injuries.
  • Injuries sustained while violating company policy : If company policy prohibits drinking on the job and an employee is injured while intoxicated in a work-related accident, those injuries will not be covered by workers' compensation.

Benefits Provided by Workers' Compensation

  • Payment for medical treatment and expenses : This includes emergency medical care, follow-up treatment, physical rehabilitation, and related transportation expenses.
  • Partial reimbursement for time off work during recovery : This is usually a weekly benefit calculated as a certain percentage of an employee's average weekly earnings.
  • Payment for permanent impairment : This benefit is paid out as compensation for permanent physical impairment that can affect a worker's future earning capacity. The greater the degree of impairment, the more the injured employee receives.
  • Vocational rehabilitation services : When a worker needs a different job or line of work because of injuries suffered on the job, vocational rehabilitation services are available under workers' comp.
  • Death benefits for family members of employees killed in work-related accidents.

Does Your Company Have Sufficient Workers' Comp and Business Insurance?

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