Workers’ Comp. in Hawaii is designed to benefit workers who are either injured or suffer an illness performing the duties required by their job. The law requires every employer in Hawaii to provide this coverage regardless of the number of employees. This coverage applies to either full or part-time, whether the employee is temporary or permanent. The law makes these stipulations because many of the risks which are found in the workplace are a threat to all workers of all categories.
Hawaii recognizes each type of job carries a different degree of risk. Hawaii’s Workers’ Compensation Law is designed to provide the same benefits to workers regardless of the degree of risk involved. Some of the expenses included in the coverage are Emergency Room treatment, Hospital stays, Doctor visits, medications, Physical therapy, Rehabilitation and lost wages. Injured employees are required to notify his or her employer or supervisor immediately after being injured. Hawaii Workers Comp. requires the injured worker file the application for benefits within 7 days of the accident.
Hawaii recognizes the impact stress can have upon employees. In many cases, an employee’s job can be extremely difficult, causing stress on a daily basis. Stress can cause both mental and physical issues. When exposed to a high degree of stress on a continual basis, employees can begin to experience mental issues which directly effect not only their job performance but private life as well. In addition many physical conditions such as ulcers, strokes, heart problems and hypertension can result from continual exposure to a high-degree of stress. Employees should be encouraged to report any mental or physical issues they feel are stress-related to their employer or supervisor.
The Hawaii Workman Compensation Law also considers another issue which can become a serious problem if not addressed. There are many professions which require workers to continually deal with a high-degree of responsibility. Examples of these professions would be Medical personnel, Law enforcement, Firefighters and other positions which involve taking the responsibility for the lives of others. Employees who deal with what would be considered life-or-death situations can often experience nervousness, depression and other mental problems which will impact them daily. Mental issues such as nervousness and depression can cause physical problems as well. In many cases, workers in these professions will request a leave-of-absence to allow them to deal with their jobs. The Hawaii Workers’ Compensation Act does recognize this problem and provides coverage for tr4eatment and time-off work.