Incidents of workplace accidents continue to plague many major industries in the United States. The Insurance Information Institute notes that, according to a study performed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, incidents of work-related deaths rose by 283 deaths between 2018 and 2019.
The Worker’s Compensation Social Contract provides workers in every state certain rights while on the job, and learning what they are and how this contract protects workers may help them understand workers’ compensation laws to a better degree if they should experience an injury on the job.
Expanding coverage
Not all states offered workers’ compensation benefits when the social contracts first appeared but now provide workers with injury rights across a variety of industries, from construction to retail workers. While state rules and coverage packages vary, most employees who work for companies that offer these benefits can apply for several types, including:
- Doctor visits
- Paid leave
- Coverage for long-term care, such as physical therapy
Some coverage packages may include gaps, such as those for permanent disability, so employees may want to review their employer’s state and federal laws before they fill a position.
State and federal laws
Workers’ compensation laws operate at both federal and state levels. For example, federal government employees and certain maritime workers operate under compensation offered by that branch of the government. Most states except Texas require employers to carry this insurance, depending on the number of employees and to comply with a state’s workers’ compensation laws.
Employees can inquire about individual requirements and coverage through their employers. Certain claim categories may not carry the same types of benefits depending on the industry and laws of the area.