Workers’ compensation is insurance that pays benefits to employees who are injured or become ill on the job. This insurance provides Illinois employees financial support while they recover from their injuries and helps cover medical expenses and lost wages.
Medical benefits
Workers’ compensation provides medical benefits to injured workers, which covers the cost of medical treatment, hospitalization and medication required to treat the work-related injury or illness. The insurance also covers the cost of medical equipment, such as crutches or wheelchairs, that may be necessary for recovery. The medical benefits offered by workers’ compensation aim to ensure that the injured employee receives the necessary medical care and attention required to recover from their injury or illness.
Lost wages benefits
Workers’ compensation also provides benefits for lost wages that result from work-related injury or illness. This benefit provides income replacement to employees who cannot work due to injuries.
The amount of income replacement provided depends on the extent of the injury or illness, the employee’s average weekly wage, and the state’s laws. Lost wage benefits are designed to help an injured employee maintain financial stability during their recovery period.
Disability benefits
In cases where the injury or illness is severe enough to cause permanent or temporary disability, workers’ compensation provides disability benefits to the employee. These may be in partial or total disability benefits, and the benefit amount is based on the extent of the injury or illness, the employee’s average weekly wage and the state’s laws.
Rehabilitation benefits
In addition to medical and wage benefits, workers’ compensation also provides rehabilitation benefits to injured workers. These benefits may include physical therapy, job retraining or vocational rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation benefits help injured workers regain their physical abilities and prepare them to return to work. These benefits may include modifications to the workplace, such as wheelchair accessibility or installation of special equipment, to help the employee return to work safely.
Offering employees a safety net
Workers’ compensation provides essential benefits to employees who are injured or become ill on the job. They aim to ensure that the injured employee receives the medical care and financial support required to recover from their injury or illness and return to work as soon as possible.