U.S. Workers Compensation Trends In 2012

Ladyblogger
June 10, 2012

Suffering from an injury in the workplace can be extremely detrimental to an employee’s financial portfolio and their ability to continue working in the future. An employer is required to have some form of insurance that can potentially cover an employee’s injuries that occur while the individual is working. In the United States, workers’ compensation is a specific type of insurance that gives an employee medical benefits as well as a paid wage in the event of a work related injury. The employee can receive these medical and monetary benefits as long as they completely give up the right to sue an employer for showing negligence in the workplace. An employee is often required to negotiate with their lawyer in order to receive limited coverage and benefits while they are still injured. This negotiation and compensation system is also referred to as the compensation bargain.

Compensation Fraud

With the current state of the economy in the Pennsylvania employees are turning to an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer in order to maintain their benefits while remaining on sick leave. Unfortunately, some employees are taking advantage of the system and attempting to collect workers’ compensation benefits in an effort to meet their financial needs. As a result, the state governments are working hard in 2012 to make sure that an employee doesn’t commit fraud in order to receive benefits. If the injury took place in Pennsylvania, an accident lawyer Philadelphia can provide you with the expertise, experience and skills that are necessary to win your case. These lawyers can be your first line of defense when it comes to protecting your benefits and rights after you are injured at work.

Rights of the Employee

In 2012, the United States is striving to make sure that an injured employee receives their fair share of compensation while on sick leave. Unfortunately, a great majority of injured employees do not seek legal assistance, and end up receiving an unfair compensation for their injury and possible accumulation of lost wages. It is important to know that some employees are paid on various pay scales and a skilled attorney will make sure that you get your full compensation; regardless whether you are paid on a variable pay schedule, pay for performance or you currently work on commission.

The United States fully supports an injured employee and has made it illegal in most states for an employee be fired or refused employment after they have filed a workers’ compensation claim. In addition, employees that have reported a workplace injury also share these same rights. The government is currently stepping up its level of regulation as it oversees the proper compensation of injured employees going forward in 2012.

Currently various states are also increasing their workers’ compensation rates. If an individual is unsure of their current states compensation rates, they should seek an attorney that has experience in the personal injury field. An employee is also highly recommended to contact the United States Department of Labor in order to familiarize themselves with the current workers’ compensation rates in any particular state.

Molly Henshaw is a law student and a contributing writer for the personal injury law firm of McMahon, McMahon & Lentz . She highly recommends hiring an attorney if there is any question as to where the liability of your injury lies.