Worker’s compensation insurance is a type of insurance that provides benefits to employees who are injured or have become ill due to their job. Georgia is the 8th most populous state and 24th largest state by area in the US. Georgia is ranked as the “Top State for Doing Business” for the seventh time in a row by Area Development. Moreover, the businesses in Georgia are considered employment friendly, and companies need to provide insurance coverage even for regular part-time workers.
To know what a worker’s compensation insurance policy covers, you must refer to Georgia workers comp definitions. Here is some important information about workers’ compensation insurance coverage and its benefits.
What Is Covered Under a Workers Compensation Policy?
Georgia workers compensation policy covers the following aspects.
- Medical expenses like hospital visits, medications, and emergency surgeries, are covered by workers’ compensation.
- Lost wages will be partially compensated according to the employee’s earnings before getting injured. In addition, the employee will continue to give you lost wages during recovery time.
- Disability benefits may include retirement funds.
- Ongoing care, such as physical therapy sessions, is also paid because it is considered a “medical” cost.
In addition to these benefits listed above, worker’s compensation insurance may provide coverage for:
- Rehabilitation expenses – It may include the cost of adaptive equipment or the cost of modifying the worker’s home or workplace to accommodate their injury.
- Child care expenses – By providing safe and reliable child care, workers can focus on their recovery without worrying about their children.
- And travel expenses related to medical treatment.
How to Qualify for Coverage?
Recent data shows Georgia has a total of 929,864 firms. Qualifying for coverage under a worker’s compensation insurance policy can vary depending on the state you live in and your job. To be eligible for workers’ compensation coverage, an employee must first file a claim with their employer. The state workers’ compensation board must then approve the claim.
Once the claim is approved, the employee will receive benefits, such as medical expenses and lost wages. In some cases, the employee may also be eligible for vocational rehabilitation or death benefits.
What are the Benefits Available to Employees?
One of the most significant benefits is the financial assistance you and your family get while you recuperate in the hospital or home. The coverage will ensure that your family does not suffer due to your inability to work. In addition, the lost wages component provides that you continue to earn a certain amount that you would have got if you were not injured.
Besides, there are several emotional advantages of the compensation insurance coverage. They are:
- Knowing that you are secured in the event of an injury or illness while on the job.
- Peace of mind knowing that you and your family will be taken care of financially if something happens to you while working.
- A sense of security knowing that you have a safety net in place in case of an accident or injury at work.
In most cases, employees injured or become ill due to their job will qualify for coverage in Georgia workers comp definitions. However, a few conditions will generally deny the coverage. These include self-inflicted injuries, intoxication, and illegal activities. Also, employees injured while committing a crime may not be eligible for coverage.
