Workers’ Comp Insurance

Workers’ compensation insurance or workman’s comp is a form of insurance that provides benefits to workers who fall sick or get injured due to work-related causes. It may include missed wage replacement, disability benefits and even death benefits.

Workers’ comp minimizes your liability as an employer for work-related illnesses and injuries. Without coverage, employees can sue your business for work-related illnesses or injuries to cover their lost wages or medical costs.

In most states, businesses with employees are required by law to carry some form of workers’ compensation insurance. However, the rules regarding coverage differ from state to state. It is our responsibility as employers to purchase coverage through licensed insurance companies such as GEC Insurance Services.

What Workers’ Comp Insurance Covers
If an employee suffers a work-related illness or injury, workers’ comp insurance can cover their:

• Lost wages
• Medical expenses
• Ongoing care costs
• Funeral expenses

It is worth mentioning that these benefits and more are not available for employees that fall sick or get hurt outside of work. Benefits may also be unavailable for intoxicated employees who get involved in workplace accidents or employees who hurt themselves intentionally.

Medical Expenses
Workers’ comp provides coverage to enable employees pay for any medical expenses related to illnesses or injuries picked up at work. This can include prescriptions, emergency room visits and necessary surgeries. For instance, if an electrician injures their hand while attending to a customer, workers’ comp insurance can cover the necessary hospital visits.

Missed Wages
Workers’ comp can replace an employee’s lost income if they require time off work to recover from an illness or injury acquired on the job. For example, suppose a restaurant chef accidentally spills boiling water on his arm and needs at least three weeks to recover. In that case, workers’ compensation insurance can replace part of his lost wages.

Ongoing Care
Some work-related illnesses or injuries can be so serious that they require multiple treatments. For instance, if an employee injures their back while lifting heavy loads, workers’ comp can cover the accompanying ongoing care costs, such as physical therapy.

Illness
Some working conditions can expose employees to allergens or harmful chemicals that eventually lead to illness. If an employee falls sick due to work-related conditions or incidents, workers’ compensation insurance can cover the necessary treatment costs.

Repetitive Injury
Not all work-related illnesses or injuries result from a single traumatic event. Repetitive injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, typically develop over months or even years. If a receptionist or secretary develops carpal tunnel syndrome due to years of typing with bad ergonomics, workers’ compensation insurance can cover the treatment and ongoing care costs.

Disability
Some work-related injuries or illnesses may be serious enough to disable an employee temporarily or permanently. Workers’ compensation coverage provides disabled employee benefits to help such workers pay for their medical expenses and replace part of their lost income.

Funeral Costs
In the most unfortunate event that an employee loses their life due to a work-related incident, workers’ compensation insurance can cover the resulting funeral costs and offer death benefits to the deceased employee’s beneficiaries.

Choosing the Appropriate Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Your Business
Our reputation as an insurance service provider is backed by years of experience in assisting small business owners in hedging themselves against unexpected risks. At GEC Insurance Services, you will have your own top claims specialist with multiple, excellent satisfaction scores at your service. Our flexible billing options will ensure you stay focused on managing your business. Get your quote today and contact our offices for more information about workers’ compensation insurance.