“Exploring What Benefits Are Available Under Workers’ Compensation in Birmingham Alabama”
What benefits are available under workers’ compensation in Birmingham, Alabama? If you are an employee in Birmingham, Alabama, you should be aware of the benefits that are available to you under the state’s workers’ compensation program. This program provides medical and financial protection to workers who have suffered an injury, illness, or disability while on the job. By understanding the benefits and protections available to you, you can ensure that you are getting the proper compensation if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to file a claim. In this blog post, we will discuss the different benefits available under workers’ compensation in Birmingham, Alabama, as well as how to file a claim and when to seek legal advice.
Workers’ compensation in Alabama is a “no-fault” system. This means that you do not have to prove that your employer was negligent before you are entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits. In some instances, there may not be an actual day and time when an accident occurred to produce an injury. Repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, are covered under the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act.
If you cannot return to your old job due to your work-related injuries, your employer may be required to provide vocational or job retraining to assist you in finding a new job.
What workers comp benefits are you entitled to receive after a work accident?
At Oros and Associates, we have heard from too many clients who were shocked to find that they were not receiving or offered a fair number of benefits. We are dedicated to helping make certain those situations are rectified through professional legal guidance and representation. If you need help understanding what benefits you should receive through workers’ compensation or fighting for those benefits, then please call (205) 986-0070 now. Below is a basic review of the benefits you are entitled to receive.
What Types of Benefits are Available Under Workers’ Compensation In Birmingham, Alabama?
For any covered work-related accident that causes an injury to an employee, workers’ compensation is coverage for disability benefits for the time missed from work, and medical benefits for treatment of the injury are provided by your employer. Covered accidents may include payments for:
- Medical bills
- Recovery expenses such as mileage reimbursement
- Future treatment costs for necessary medical needs
- Lost wages
- Short-term disability
- Long-term disability
- Vocational rehabilitation
Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Birmingham Alabama
What benefits are you entitled to receive in a workers’ compensation claim?
- Medical treatment coverage: The full cost of all necessary medical treatments related to your work injury should be covered through workers’ compensation benefits. There are no co-pays or deductibles for any medical treatment received due to a work-related accident.
- Weekly Disability Benefits while you are unable to work: You are entitled to receive a portion of your missing wages through workers’ compensation benefits. The amount you are entitled to is usually 2/3rds of your average weekly wage.
- Disability pay: If your injury is debilitating and prevents you from returning to your regular job duties for an extended period or permanently, then you could be eligible for disability pay that can last for years or until retirement.
- Vocational retaining or rehabilitation: The workers’ compensation insurance company might be obligated to help pay for training or certifications that allow you to begin a new career that accommodates your disabilities, even if that job is at an entirely different company.
Some items are not included as benefits in a Workers’ Compensation claim:
Weekly benefits under the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act only provides a portion of lost wages, which means that you will not receive 100% of what you were making prior to your accident.
There is a limitation on any recovery under the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act. You will not be provided with benefits for pain and suffering. In order to obtain compensation for these types of damages you must file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer. In most cases, Workers’ Compensation Benefits are the only recovery allowed.
Is There A Set Period Of Time That I Am Allowed To Be Paid Workers’ Comp Benefits?
The period of time for which you may continue receiving benefits will depend on the severity of your injury. Generally, there is a maximum of 300 weeks for Temporary Total Disability Benefits. Temporary Total Disability are the weekly benefits you receive instead of your salary while recovering from your work accident. Alternatively, if you are completely disabled from returning back to work, you may be entitled to receive permanent total disability benefits. In this situation, you are qualified to continue receiving weekly benefits for the rest of your life.
Other benefits such as temporary partial or temporary total disability will continue until your doctor deems you have reach maximum medical improvement.
Still Confused About The Benefits, You Are Entitled To Receive For A Workplace Accident In Alabama? We Care. We Can Help. Please Contact Us For Your Free Evaluation.
Oros and Associates is here to guide you through your workers’ compensation claim and towards the most benefits possible. We can even discuss what it would be like to get a lump-sum settlement instead of benefits, as this option is often better for all parties involved. It starts with a phone call to our office in Birmingham by dialing (205) 986-0070. From there, we can arrange a consultation and begin discussing what to do next.
The Alabama Department of Labor has compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding workers compensation benefits. You can view them here
