Myths You May Believe About Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Workers’ compensation is something that all of us hope we never have to rely on. However, when the time comes, it can provide three types of benefits to a worker. It will replace wages during the period of disability, can provide disfigurement or permanent disability benefits, and will pay for medical treatments and prescriptions.

The amount of compensation that an employee may be able to receive depends on the severity of the injuries, how much their normal wage is, and what body part is affected. Unfortunately, many workers never collect the benefits that they are entitled to. Below are six common misconceptions about workers’ compensation that you need to understand the truth about.

• Workers’ Compensation Doesn’t Matter Until You’re Hurt – Employees often make the mistake of paying attention to their company’s workers’ compensation policy until it applies to them. Instead of waiting until you’re injured, learn your rights ahead of time. Companies are required to let their employees know about their options in the event of an accident.
• You’re Not Eligible for Benefits If Your Employer Wasn’t at Fault – Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. This means that if you were injured for any reason while performing your work duties, you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
• Off-site Injuries Aren’t Eligible for Workers’ Compensation – Although workers’ compensation benefits are available for employees injured at the workplace, they are also available for those that are injured off-site in certain situations. For example, if you are in a car accident while on the job, you will likely be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
• Workers’ Compensation Only Covers Loss of Income – Yes, workers’ compensation covers your lost wages, but there are other types of compensation as well. Your workers’ compensation benefits will cover your medical treatment, pay for treatment to and from medical facilities for your treatment, prescriptions, and compensate you for permanent disfigurement and disability.
• Always Accept Your Employer’s Offer for a Settlement – While it may seem a good idea to accept your employer’s settlement offer for workers’ compensation, this process is actually expected to be negotiated. Before making any decisions that could change your life, be sure to speak to an experienced workers comp attorney. Accepting a settlement offer may often force you to give up any benefits in the future.
• You Don’t Need an Attorney – Employers often convince their employees that the offer they make is the best they could hope to receive, but that’s rarely true. By speaking to a Charleston SC Workers Compensation attorney who is familiar with workers’ compensation, you will be certain that your best interests are being taken care of and you get the settlement that you deserve.

Contact an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

While it is important to understand these misconceptions about workers’ compensation, having an attorney will ensure you a better position to get the benefits that you deserve. Contact the Charleston workers comp attorneys at the David Aylor Law Offices today to schedule a consultation and assert your rights.