Becoming injured at work can be financially devastating. First, you have to pay for your medical bills and you also may find yourself out of work. Normally, when you're injured, you need to win a case to be able to receive compensation for your injuries. But with workers' compensation cases, you merely need to be injured within the scope of your employment and not test positive for drug use. However, while you have a high likelihood of receiving compensation through this program, you might wonder why your case is worth so little.
Typical Damages With a Personal Injury Case
There are several damages you can be awarded in a personal injury case. You may be entitled to compensation for pain, suffering, mental anguish, loss of consortium, and possibly several other forms of non-economic damages. However, with workers' compensation, you are only entitled to compensation for damages that can be quantified. Expensive medical treatments and lost paychecks can all be reimbursed to a certain extent.
Rather than receive full compensation for lost wages, you'll typically only receive a portion of your wages. Most often, you will be paid a percentage determined by the state in which you reside.
Whether or not you choose to receive a full pay-out or weekly payments and reimbursement for all medical expenses can also affect how much your settlement is worth. Therefore, you'll always want to speak to a workers' compensation attorney about which option is best for you.
Treatments Deemed Unreasonable or Unnecessary
In some cases, a treatment might be considered unreasonable or unnecessary. You may believe that the treatment is necessary for you to recover from your injuries, but you may be forced to pay for it out-of-pocket because it is considered unnecessary. Whether or not a treatment is considered necessary can vary from one insurance provider to another.
Doctor's appointments are typically covered as are any medications that are necessary to treat your condition. Tests are only covered if they are relevant to your injuries. You'll only receive compensation for hospitalization if your injuries are severe enough to warrant them. Medical devices that you need to remain mobile, such as a wheelchair, are usually covered. Also, physical therapy is covered for a period of time.
As for alternative health treatments, massage therapy, unproven treatments, and treatments that serve the purpose of treating a condition unrelated to your injuries, you may not receive compensation. Talk to a work injury attorney for more information.
