Workers’ compensation, also referred to as workers’ comp, is a form of insurance that is mandated by the state to cover any employee injuries that take place during normal work activities. The specifics of the insurance required vary from state to state.
Workers’ compensation is often provided to any employee who sustains an injury while performing their regular duties at work—regardless of whether or not the company was directly at fault for the injury. When benefits are accepted by an injured employee, it may prohibit them from seeking out legal damages in addition to the funds they receive through the workers’ compensation insurance program.
Workers’ compensation covers a wide variety of injuries, even injuries caused by the carelessness of the employee or the employer. However, there are still several restrictions that apply to employees that wish to receive compensation for their injuries. For example, several states require that any employee filing for workers’ compensation may be subject to alcohol or drug testing. If an employee is found to have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of his or her injury, they will lose any funds they may have been entitled to receive.
If it can be proved that the employee in question was not on the worksite at the time of the injury, caused the injury deliberately, or violated any of the company’s policies, the company may not be liable to pay any compensation under the workers’ compensation insurance.