AREAS OF PRACTICE

  Auto / Car Accidents
  Catastrophic Accidents
  Medical Malpractice
  Motorcycle Accidents
  Nursing Home Injuries
  Personal Injury
  Product liability
  Real Estate
  Train Accidents
  Trucking Accidents
  Workers' Compensation
  Wrongful Death

WORKERS COMPENSATION l Frequently Asked Questions
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I. General Information about Workers' Compensation A. How Do Workers' Compensation Laws Operate? B. Who Is Covered by Workers' Compensation Laws? C. What Is the Difference Between Workers' Compensation      Benefit Claims and Civil Lawsuits? D. How to Protect Your Rights E. What to Do If You Are Injured On-the-Job F. Conclusion of General Information about Workers'      Compensation II. Employer Obligations A. Duties B. Penalties C. State and Local Government Employees D. Federal Government Employees III. Conclusion " Contact a Kansas workers' compensation lawyer representing clients in Topeka, Kansas today to schedule your free initial consultation."

General Information about Workers' Compensation

"Workers' compensation" refers to both the benefits that employees injured on the job are entitled to and the method for obtaining those benefits. Workers' compensation laws are set by each state and these laws can vary from state to state. Additionally, the federal government has workers' compensation laws for federal government employees and employees in certain types of jobs.

In most states, the laws require every business to have some type of workers' compensation insurance to cover employee's injuries on the job. When an employee is injured, that employee files a workers' compensation claim. Filing this claim is similar to filing a claim with an insurance company. The employee isn't filing a lawsuit against their employer. Instead, he or she is filing a request for benefits. If you have been injured at your job, a lawyer experienced in workers' compensation claims can help you understand your claim and assist you in obtaining the maximum benefits possible.

How Do Workers' Compensation Laws Operate?

Workers' compensation laws are designed to allow employees who are injured at work to obtain a fixed amount of compensation, without having to sue their employer. Workers' compensation laws create an important "safety net" for employees who are injured at work or injured because of their job.

Generally, workers' compensation laws also provide some protection to employers and co-workers. These laws may limit the amount of money that employees can obtain from their employers. Injured employees may also be barred from suing their co-workers. In this way, the workers' compensation system is a "no-fault" system, where it doesn't matter whose fault the injury was. Negligence, whether of the employee, the employer, or a co-worker is not an issue. The injured employee is simply compensated for his or her work-related injuries.
Workers' compensation is an "exclusive remedy" with respect to work-related injuries. The term "exclusive remedy" means that unless an employee can show that there was another a third party responsible for his or her injury, workers' compensation is the only benefit or monetary award that an employee can obtain. A third party may be another company or manufacturer.

Employees are often injured by machinery or products that they use at work. Many employees successfully sue the manufacturers of these machines or products for compensation for their injuries. A lawsuit against a third party generally takes place in civil court, as opposed to workers' compensation claims, which are generally handled by a state or federal agency. Employers generally aren't involved in these lawsuits, but most states do have a method that allows an employer to recover their workers' compensation payments from the compensation that an employee obtains from a third-party lawsuit. In some states, the employer and the insurance company that provides the workers' compensation insurance join in the lawsuit against the third party.

This joinder allows the employer and the insurance company to protect their right to be compensated for benefits that they have already paid to the injured employee. In other states, the employer is given a lien against any compensation that the employee may obtain. The employer and the insurance company must wait until the employee actually receives their compensation award, then the employee must pay back any workers' compensation benefits already received. An experienced workers' compensation lawyer will be able to advise you on the laws of your state if you think that a third party may be responsible for your on-the-job injury.

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DISCLAIMER: The information you obtain at our firm web site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. It is recommended that you should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

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