Every employer in the United States is required by law to protect their workers from the hazards of the job through a suitable injury benefits program. In many states, employers are required to enroll their workers to the workers’ compensation insurance system. In some states, such as Texas, however, workers’ compensation is only one option among many. While work comp may be optional in Texas, employers are required by law to ensure that each of their workers is protected against workplace risks, through a suitable benefits program.
All About Texas Injury Benefits
Workers Compensation
Workers compensation is a workplace injury benefits program meant to protect both the worker and the employer. The worker is protected under this policy in that they get guaranteed benefits in case they are injured at the workplace. Employers, on the other hand, are protected because they will not be subjected to costly injury lawsuits whenever their workers get injured. That said, it is important to note that if a worker accepts the terms and conditions of work comp, they automatically give up their right to sue their employer in case they sustain an injury or develop an illness at the workplace.
Benefits
Workers compensation offers three main types of benefits to injured workers. The first is temporary disability benefits. This is offered to injured workers who have to stay away from work for more than a week as they recover from their injuries. The rate is usually 70% of average weekly income and it’s paid for the entire recovery period. Low income earners can qualify for up to 75% temporary disability benefits.
The second type of benefits is the permanent disability benefits. They are offered to employees who are not able to go back to work after getting injured at the workplace. This benefit is offered at the same rate as temporary disability benefits.
Thirdly, there is death and burial benefits. There is always a chance that the injuries sustained by a worker may lead to a fatality. In case a death occurs after a workplace accident, workers’ compensation will pay the survivors of the deceased worker for the injuries. In addition to that, workers’ compensation will also pay funeral benefits to the family of the deceased. This is meant to ease the burden borne by the family.
Other Injury Benefit Programs
It is always a good idea to weigh options before making a decision. Workers’ compensation is the default injury benefits program, so employers need to compare other programs to workers’ compensation. The types of workplace accidents covered by a policy, premiums charged and other factors must be considered.
When choosing a program, like https://qcare.org, you have to read reviews and testimonials to learn more about the pros and cons of the shortlisted programs. You also have to check how different programs have been rated and check the success rates of claims. The processing speed of claims made should also be considered because you want an injuries benefit program that is known to approve claims quickly and disburse benefits without any delays.
