Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation is an insurance program that offers benefits to workers who have suffered an injury or occupational illness at the workplace. The state of Indiana requires all public and private employees to be covered by workers’ compensation. Following an accident or injury at work, workers’ compensation insurance pays medical providers directly for:
- Doctor appointments
- Hospital Bills
- Prescriptions
Some employers’ insurance also covers mileage costs to and from medical appointments and lost wages due to doctor visits and hospital stays.
Who is Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
It doesn’t matter how many employees a company has—in Indiana, all employees must be covered. This includes:
- Students participating in on-the-job training
- Traveling employees such as salespeople
- Executive officers of a private corporation
- Employees working outside of Indiana as long as there is an Indiana employment relationship
Workers’ Compensation: Replacement Income Benefits
Regardless of whether or not an employee is injured temporarily, partially, or permanently, Indiana workers’ compensation also offers replacement income benefits:
Temporary Total Disability Benefits (TTD): Each week, the injured employee receives 2/3 of her pre-injury average weekly wage until she is capable of returning to her workplace
Temporary Partial Disability Benefits (TPD): If the employee is able to work in some capacity for a reduced wage or for less time while injured, 2/3 of the difference between the employee’s current wage and pre-injury wage will be paid weekly (for up to 300 weeks)
Permanent Total Disability Benefits (PTD): The worker’s injury or sickness makes it impossible for him to work again. He is paid 2/3 of his pre-injury average weekly wage for a maximum of 500 weeks
Permanent Partial Disability Benefits (PPD): When a worker is permanently incapacitated by her injury in some way (loss of a finger or limb, for example), most states use a schedule of losses to calculate appropriate compensation. A schedule of losses lists the number of weeks for which the employee will receive 2/3 of her pre-injury average weekly wage.
Workers’ compensation also provides benefits to dependents of workers who died of a work-related injury or illness and includes $7,500 to help pay for burial costs.
Injured workers can also receive vocational rehabilitation benefits, including job placement assistance, on-the-job training, and education.
Our Work Injury Lawyers are Here to Help
If you’ve been hurt on the job, you should notify your employer right away. You can file a workers’ compensation claim at your job or with the Workers’ Compensation Board by calling 317-232-3809 or by visiting their office at 402 West Washington Street, Room W196, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
