Most employers in Kentucky are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If you are injured in a workplace accident, the insurance policy helps to pay medical bills or lost wages related to that incident. To increase the odds that you get what you’re entitled to from your employer, it’s important to know how the system works.
A no-fault system
The workers’ compensation system runs as a no-fault program. This means that you may still be entitled to a payout even if you caused the accident that led to your injuries as long the accident happened at work or while performing tasks for your employer.
Filing a claim
Your personal health insurance policy may not cover the cost of treatment for workplace injuries. Therefore, it may be necessary to file a workers’ compensation claim to cover the cost of your medical bills. Ideally, you’ll file your claim within hours or days of a workplace injury. If an accident occurred because of your employer’s gross negligence, it may be possible to sue for additional damages.
Outside parties
Your employer is not responsible for making a payout in your case. Instead, a payout will typically be made by the insurance company that your employer uses. The claim is reviewed by an adjuster who works for this insurance company, so the process is essentially out of your employer’s hands.
If you are hurt at work, you may incur significant medical bills and lost wages. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you might be out of work for weeks or months, and you may not be able to return to your current job at all. Witness statements, medical records and video footage may bolster your assertion that you were hurt at work and are entitled to benefits.
