Kentucky employees who sustain injuries at work are entitled to benefits provided under Kentucky’s Workers’ Compensation Act. It’s important to know the types of benefits that workers are entitled to under the law.
What is workers’ compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance mandated by the state that most employers are required to carry. It serves several purposes, including covering the costs of medical treatment for the injury and providing income replacement while the injured worker remains off work. If an employee has an accident and is injured, they might be restricted from work while they recover, or be limited to light duty / accommodated work. Workers’ comp benefits may provide income replacement in either scenario.
What is covered under workers’ compensation insurance?
Employees who experience an on-the-job injury are entitled to the following benefits:
- Coverage for their medical expenses for treatment of the work-injury
- Payment for a portion of their lost wages (two-thirds of their pre-injury Average Weekly Wage)
- Coverage for future medical treatment costs
- Payment for future benefits based on their level of impairment / disability
- Funeral expenses to help their family if the worker dies from their injury or illness
In order to be eligible for workers’ compensation, the employee must have been injured in an accident at work or outside of the office while performing work duties.
Some workers aren’t eligible for State workers’ compensation benefits. Independent contractors, farmworkers engaged in agriculture, federal employees and maritime workers are not eligible for State workers’ compensation benefits under Kentucky’s Workers’ Compensation Act, though they may be eligible for other types of benefits if injured.
Workers’ compensation benefits can bring relief to injured workers and their families. If you were injured at work, you have a right to file a claim.