Workers compensation insurance is one of those hidden insurance policies that you as a worker are not charged for and will never see or need unless you are injured on the job. The cost of the insurance is required and paid for by the company you work for in the State in which you are employed.
The State of Virginia has a no fault workers compensation policy in effect to cover its workers in case of an on the job injury. There are a couple of exceptions to the no fault policy but its main benefit to you as the employee is that
1.It pays immediately for all medical cost associated with your on the job injury
2.It will pay for lost wages if you are off the job for more than seven days or for all days if missing more than three weeks of work
3.Will pay for any rehab if needed
4.Has death benefits for your dependents
5.Has permanent disability payments if you are not able to go back to work
For the employer –
1.Does not allow the employee to file a personal injury lawsuit
2.Can refuse to pay benefits if the employee violated company safety policies or was under the influence when the accident occurred.
3.The injury was self inflicted or done on purpose
When You Might Need A Lawyer
The laws are strict enough that if you are injured on the job, the company needs to take care of your needs. If you find yourself in a position that the company is refusing to pay for your medical expenses or lost wages, first file a complaint with the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission.
This is the agency in Virginia that enforces, regulates, mediates and tries to resolve the issues without the expenses of additional lawyers on your part or the company.
If they fail to satisfy your needs, you are allowed under the law to hire a workers compensation lawyer to assist you in getting your proper benefits as well as having your lawyers expenses paid for as well.
Employees are valuable to every company so it is in the company best interest to take care of their employees when accidents occur and most of the time this is a smooth process. In case of a severe injury or disability, than it is always safe to acquire help from a professional to insure that all your rights and benefits are well taken care of.