When you suffer an injury while performing work-related duties, you may wonder how you’re going to afford to take time off to go to your appointments. Does workers’ compensation cover the time that you take off? Here is what you need to know about workers’ compensation coverage. In most states, your appointments and the time you take off of work for your work-related injury should be covered.
Initial Doctor’s Appointment
Keep in mind that the point of workers’ compensation is to protect you from the consequences of an on-the-job injury. Now, on the first day of your injury, you may not have time to file a claim before you see the doctor. After all, if the injury happens at work, you may not finish your workday because you have to go to the doctor. Most workers do not want to lose pay, however. Do you still receive payment for the day? Since you cannot file for benefits before you go to the doctor, your employer should pay you for the time spent at the doctor’s appointment. Now, if your appointment extends beyond your workday, you will not be paid for the time after the end of the day.
Follow-Up Appointments
If you file for workers’ compensation and can return to work, but still have follow-up appointments, you may wonder about the benefits. In most states, your workers’ compensation coverage will provide compensation for any time that you have to take off for a doctor’s appointment. In fact, most insurers require you to see the doctor regularly. The payments you receive will not be a part of your paycheck. Instead, they will come from the workers’ compensation as compensation for a day of temporary disability.
Appointment Compensation
While some employers would argue that an employee should not receive payment when he or she is not at work, most stares protect a worker who is injured while at work. If you were performing your duties and need time off due to the injury, then you should be able to receive payment for the time that you take off. It is important to know the ins and outs of your coverage so that you know what you are entitled to.
When it comes to workers’ compensation, you are entitled to compensation when you have appointments related to the injury. This compensation usually does not come from the employer him or herself, but from the workers’ compensation coverage. If you need help navigating the workers’ compensation regulations in your state, contact a work injury lawyer like a lake worth work injury lawyer at Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt as soon as possible.