Workers' Compensation

What It Means

Workers' compensation is a no-fault insurance system administered at the state level that provides medical benefits, wage replacement, and disability compensation to employees injured on the job. While workers' compensation is not directly part of OSHA enforcement, the two systems are closely related. Workers' compensation claims data can trigger OSHA attention when patterns suggest systemic safety problems, and OSHA violations are sometimes used as evidence in workers' compensation disputes. Each state administers its own workers' compensation program with varying benefit levels, coverage requirements, and dispute resolution procedures. Benefits typically include payment of all reasonable medical expenses related to the injury, temporary disability payments (usually two-thirds of the worker's average weekly wage), permanent disability benefits for lasting impairments, vocational rehabilitation, and death benefits for dependents of workers killed on the job. In exchange for these guaranteed benefits, workers generally give up the right to sue their employer for negligence. However, if an employer's Willful violation of OSHA standards contributed to the injury, some states allow the injured worker to pursue additional damages outside the workers' compensation system.

Frequently Asked Questions