Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that provides financial protection to employees who suffer from an injury or illness due to their job. Despite its widespread use and benefits, there are still many myths about workers’ compensation that can lead to confusion and misunderstanding. Here, we break down the most common myths about workers’ compensation so you can understand how it works and protect yourself if you ever need it.
Myth #1
You Don’t Need Workers’ Compensation Insurance
This is one of the most dangerous myths out there because it implies that employers don’t need to provide workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. In reality, almost every state requires employers to carry this type of insurance, so they are legally obligated to provide it. Without workers’ compensation insurance, companies would be exposed to significant legal liability if an employee were to suffer an injury on the job.
Myth #2:
All On-the-Job Injuries Are Covered By Workers’ Compensation
Even though this form of insurance does provide coverage for many types of injuries sustained while at work, it doesn’t cover all on-the-job injuries. For example, if an employee injures themselves due to their own negligence or recklessness, then they may not be eligible for coverage under workers’ compensation. Additionally, some states have laws that exclude certain types of injuries from being covered by workers’ compensation, such as those sustained during horseplay or fights between co-workers. If you are wondering if your injury and circumstance apply, it is always helpful to reach out to a local workers comp attorney for more information.
Myth #3:
You Need to Be an Employee To Receive Benefits
This myth is not true. While it is true that many states require employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance for their employees, there are also states that allow independent contractors, sole proprietors, and other self-employed individuals to purchase their own workers’ compensation insurance. This means that even if you are not technically an employee of a company, you may still be eligible for benefits under workers’ compensation laws.
Myth #4:
If You Receive Benefits Through Workers’ Compensation, You Can No Longer Sue Your Employer
Workers’ compensation is meant to be a no-fault system where employees are provided with financial assistance regardless of who was at fault in the accident or incident that led to their injury or illness. However, this doesn’t mean that injured employees are barred from suing their employer in certain circumstances. For example, in cases where employers intentionally caused harm or acted with gross negligence, then injured employees may still take legal action against them even after receiving benefits through workers’ compensation.
Myth #5:
You Can’t Receive Workers Comp Benefits If It Was Your Fault
Another misconception people have when it comes to workers comp is that you cannot receive benefits if the injury was your fault. This isn’t necessarily true; in most cases, employees who suffer an injury on the job are eligible to receive benefits regardless of who was at fault—whether it was themselves or their employer. However, there are some exceptions to this rule; for instance, if you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of your injury, then you may not be able to receive benefits.
As you can see, there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding workers’ compensation that can lead people astray when it comes time for them to make a claim for benefits after an injury or illness occurs at work. It’s important to know what is true—and what is not—when it comes to this form of insurance so you can protect your rights and get the help you need if something happens while on the job. With this knowledge in hand, you can feel confident using workers’ compensation when needed and knowing your rights as an employee should any kind of accident occur while working.
