If you employ workers in typical corporate America, at a typical desk job, with a typical 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. workday, you probably aren’t dealing with workplace injuries and illnesses every day. But if you employ blue-collar workers–like construction workers, for example–workplace illness and injuries are likely a frequent part of your workday.

For blue-collar workers like machine operators, assemblers, mechanics, builders, and more, these instances are often inevitable. As you know, part of business ownership involves keeping your employees safe—and providing them with the necessary resources in any instances that their safety is in jeopardy.

That’s where workers’ compensation insurance comes in.

Workers’ compensation insurance ensures that workers who have been injured on the job will receive medical care as well as compensation for a portion of any income they may lose if they are unable to work while injured or ill. Workers’ compensation insurance will also protect employers from lawsuits by injured or sick workers.

Most states require businesses to provide workers’ compensation for their employees, but the laws and regulations vary. The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) has an office dedicated to workers’ compensation programs and their policy development, technical assistance resources, changes, and updates.

If workers’ compensation insurance is required by most of America, there must be benefits to offering it to your employees. Let’s dive in.

What Are The Benefits?

Employees are not the only ones impacted by workplace illnesses and injuries. Long-term issues like this can be devastating for employers as well. If your team is dealing with things like unsafe working conditions, lack of safety equipment, and no proper training, you’re much more likely to deal with disgruntled employees who may threaten the organization with lawsuits. 

Workers’ compensation insurance covers a lot of unexpected issues that typically come up with workplace injuries and illnesses. First and foremost, medical expenses are fully covered by workers’ compensation insurance. This includes medications, hospital visits, and even emergency surgeries. In addition to this, disability benefits can be provided if the injury causes partial–or permanent–disabilities.

Ongoing care in cases of  workplace accidents or sickness is also covered by workers’ compensation insurance. If your team member was injured and requires physical therapy as part of the healing and recovery process, this is an example of an ongoing care cost. In a worst-case scenario, if you have a workplace fatality, workers’ compensation insurance provides death benefits, including funeral costs and/or survivor benefits to the worker’s family.

Lost wages are another benefit that is covered by workers’ compensation insurance. This way, injured or sick employees can focus solely on healing and getting well.

No matter who is at fault in the situation of a workplace illness or injury, workers’ compensation benefits are always offered and paid. These laws also protect employers, too, from being sued by injured employees. At the end of the day, workers’ compensation insurance makes sure everyone is protected: employers and employees alike.

Where To Find The Best Workers’ Compensation for Your Employees

If you want to protect your business and your employees, workers’ compensation insurance is a necessity. But how do you know what provider will give you what you need for your employees? How do you know what plans are the best value for the investment?

VensureHR offers flexibility in its workers’ compensation insurance options. By working with A-rated carriers, we offer customizable plans with the best rates possible. Our workers’ compensation claim services allow the VensureHR team to work as a liaison between the affected employee, your company, the workers’ compensation carrier, and the medical care provider. This makes for easy, effortless communication and decreases the likeliness of potential litigation.

Safety in the workplace should be a priority for both employers and employees. In addition to providing workers’ compensation insurance, developing and implementing safety programs and risk management strategies are great ways to decrease and prevent injuries and illnesses in the workplace.

This is why VensureHR offers customized safety training and program development, ranging from mandatory Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training to general loss control education. By inputting these best practices, employers will feel less of an impact on workers’ compensation rates and it will ensure workplace safety protocols are followed.

Above all things, VensureHR is an advocate for employees navigating the issues that arise with workplace safety. Do you want to learn more about workers’ compensation and what we can offer your business? Schedule a consultation with our HR experts today.