If you are injured on the job or suffer from an illness related to your employment, you may be entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits for your medical expenses, lost wages, physical impairments and rehabilitation or retraining expenses. Under Idaho workers’ compensation law, employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance coverage for their employees.
Idaho workers’ compensation benefits are outlined by the law and enforced by the Idaho Industrial Commission. It is critical that you report your injury or illness to your supervisor at your first opportunity. Waiting to report the same can result in loss of benefits.
Injured workers are entitled to payments covering medical expenses, temporary disability, permanent disability, rehabilitation expenses, and death as a result of a workplace related injury or illness.
Medical expenses covered by workers’ compensation law include payment for emergency medical treatment and all costs associated with your treatment including doctor’s bills, hospital charges, medications and medical equipment. Travel expenses may also be covered. Covered costs would include any ongoing treatment for your work-related illness or injury.
If you are unable to work or unable to work full-time during recovery, you may be eligible for temporary disability benefits. If your job-related injury or illness results in a permanent disability, you are entitled to receive compensation for the impairment, even if you are able to return to work. Disability benefits provide compensation for lost wages at a reduced rate.
Surviving spouses and dependent children receive benefits after a death caused by a work-related injury or illness. Dependent children receive benefits until they are 18 years of age, and surviving spouses can receive benefits for up to 500 weeks. The benefit amount is based on the average weekly state wage.
In Idaho, the Industrial Commission includes a Rehabilitation Division to provide rehabilitation services to those injured on the job. Their services are provided to assist injured workers in their recovery, enabling them to return to employment as close to their pre-injury state as possible.
If you are injured on the job and seek to obtain workers’ compensation benefits from your employer, you may choose to hire an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. Jonathan W. Harris, attorney at Baker & Harris Law is Blackfoot, Idaho specializes in workmans’ compensation cases in Idaho. Working with a workman’s comp attorney will ensure that you receive appropriate compensation for your injury or illness.
There are legal avenues available if you feel you are not receiving fair compensation for your work-related injury or illness. Mediation is often the first step, followed by a formal litigation hearing where you may contest your benefits offered by your employer or employer’s insurance company in front of a representative of the Industrial Commission. If legal action is necessary, a workers’ compensation attorney can be a valuable resource to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve and are entitled to as a result of your work-related injury or illness.
A workers’ compensation attorney will represent you and defend your rights throughout the process, working toward a fair benefit amount for your work-related injury or illness. If at any point you feel the benefit amount is unfair and you wish to contest the amount, you should consult a workers’ compensation attorney. Attorney Jonathan Harris at Baker & Harris Law specializes in workers’ compensation and offer FREE CONSULTATIONS.
(208) 785-2310