|
This Month: What
Is Workers Compensation Insurance?
| |
As we close
out 2009 and look forward to 2010 we have dedicated this
month's newsletter to the subject: "What is Workers
Compensation Insurance?" If you own a business with
employees or you yourself are an employee, take the time to
read the various articles. Workers Compensation insurance can
be confusing so our goal is to help you better understand its
provisions and benefits.
We do value our relationship
with you and strive to assist you in your personal and/or
business endeavors. We are always here to help you with any
questions you may have. Send us an email or call with any
questions you may have.
Wishing you and your family a
Happy Holiday Season and a Prosperous New
Year.
Regards,
Robert B. Hall, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, ARM,
ARM-P | |
What Is
Worker's Compensation
Insurance?
Workers compensation insurance covers the cost of
medical care and rehabilitation for workers injured on
the job. It also compensates them for lost wages and
provides death benefits for their dependents if they are
killed in work-related accidents, including terrorist
attacks.
Workers compensation systems vary from
state to state. State statutes and court decisions
control many aspects, including the handling of claims,
the evaluation of impairment and settlement of disputes,
the amount of benefits injured workers receive and the
strategies used to control costs. More
|
What Kind Of Benefits Will
I Receive?
The workers' compensation system provides
replacement income, medical expenses, and sometimes
vocational rehabilitation benefits -- that is,
on-the-job training, schooling, or job placement
assistance. The benefits paid through workers'
compensation, however, are almost always relatively
modest.
If you become temporarily unable to work,
you'll usually receive two-thirds of your average wage
up to a fixed ceiling. But because these payments are
tax-free, if you received decent wages prior to your
injury, you'll fare reasonably well in most states. You
will be eligible for these wage-loss replacement
benefits as soon as you've lost a few days of work
because of an injury or illness that is covered by
workers' compensation.
More
|
Rehabilitation Rights
Of Injured
Workers
The word "rehabilitation" in the area of
workers' compensation has two very different meanings.
When most people think of rehabilitation, they think of
physical therapy or rehabilitative care aimed at
overcoming an injury and regaining functionality. Did
you know that there is also vocational rehabilitation?
In many states, injured workers who cannot return to
their former employment are entitled to this type of
rehabilitation at the expense of their employer's
workers' compensation carrier.
The amount and type of vocational
rehabilitation provided to injured employees, as with
any other workers' compensation law, varies greatly
between jurisdictions. Some of the services which an
injured worker may be entitled to
include:
-
On-the-job training
-
Transferable skills analysis and
testing
-
Resume and job application
completion services
-
Interview skills and techniques
assistance
-
Labor market surveys
-
Job
analysis More
| |
Our Customers Speak!
Good Fellowship
Ambulance & EMS Training Institute is the busiest
Emergency Medical Service in Chester County. We
also have the largest quantity of volunteers in the
county providing emergency ambulance services and
training. Within this industry we are always going
somewhere quickly and putting ourselves in harm's way.
Francis Hall and Keystone Volunteer Insurance Group have
helped us protect our members for many
years. They are always knowledgeable regarding
every aspect of insurance and risk management. Being a
non-profit, they are always helping us find ways to
provide the best coverage at the lowest costs. I have
always recommended them to all my peers in the EMS and
Fire service. Through Keystone Volunteer Insurance
Group, we have protected everyone from Board members to
students, EMT's to career staff. They, like us,
are always there when you need
them. Respectfully, William M. Wells, Sr., BS,
EMT-PExecutive
Director |
Suggestions for Maintaining Workers' Comp
Coverage Without Losing the Shirt Off Your Back
Undoubtedly,
one of the major goals of any employer is to make a
profit. Sometimes, it may become tempting to cut corners
in order to make more money. One thing that should never
be sacrificed is workers' compensation insurance
coverage. Given the price that many employers must pay
for workers' compensation premiums, is there any way
that they can keep the costs down? You bet. Here are ten
of them. Check
Your Policy for Accuracy
-
If you are a very small employer,
check the number of individuals on your payroll. Many
states have an exception for employers who have fewer
than a certain number of employees (usually 3 or 5).
These very small employers are not required to carry
workers' compensation insurance. If you have recently
had an employee or two leave your employ, it is
possible that you could now qualify for the
exception.
-
Review your payroll. Has overtime
been included in your calculations for purposes of
computing your premium? Some states allow workers'
compensation premiums to be calculated on regular
payroll figures, excluding overtime. If overtime has
been included in your premium calculation, ask if it
can be removed. The less payroll you have, the less
your premium will be. More |
| |
|
FRANCIS HALL INSURANCE & RISK
MANAGEMENT SERVICES 1065
Andrew Drive, Suite B1 P.O. Box 5010 West
Chester PA 19380-5010 610-696-5100
1-800-851-HALL Fax 610-696-9358
www.francishall.com
| |
| |