If you have been injured in a workplace accident, you have probably been told that you’re entitled to receive workers comp benefits. But compensation claims are complicated, and most people scratch their heads and wonder, “How does workers comp work?”
Whether you know it as workers compensation, workers comp, workman’s comp, or workmen’s comp (spoiler alert: they’re all the same thing), there is a lot you should be aware of before you navigate this often-confusing industry.
When it comes to reporting a workplace injury, it is not as simple as just telling your side of the story and collecting a check.
Employers and insurance companies alike have been known to pull some questionable tactics to avoid having to file or pay out on a workers compensation claim.
While this makes it seem as though you’re fighting a losing battle, there is one thing you can do to strengthen your side of the case. All it takes is leaving a sufficient paper trail that fully documents the details surrounding your workplace injury. Read more
Your workers comp settlement isn’t “free money.” Here’s what to consider when deciding whether that settlement offer is worth it.
If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident, it’s very likely that your life has been turned upside down.
With your reduced work hours and medical bills piling up, that lump sum settlement offer is starting to look pretty good. But how did the insurance company arrive at that number?
It may seem arbitrary to you. But workers compensation insurance isn’t about reading tea leaves or consulting a crystal ball to determine your workers comp settlement amount. They are actually making a number of calculations behind the scenes to decide how much to offer you.
And unless you know what’s influencing their decision, you won’t be able to decide whether the offer is a fair one.
So let’s take a look at what your workers comp settlement should cover and how you can decide whether or not to accept it.
But here’s why you should report your workplace injury anyway.
No matter where you work or what industry you work in, workplace injuries are more common than you think.
People slip and fall, machinery malfunctions, doors swing open, and more. In fact, some of the most benign occurrences—like electric shocks and carpal tunnel syndrome—are among the most common work-related injuries and don’t always happen in manual labor industries.
When an injury seems small and inconsequential, it feels natural to go about your business without reporting it. After all, no one wants to enter a legal battle with their employer.
But reporting your injury isn’t only about pursuing a claim. It’s about protecting yourself, your peers, and your employer from future accidents or lawsuits.
Read on as we discuss why.
…but is workers comp taxable?
You already know that you have to pay taxes on most forms of income: salary, inheritance, lottery winnings, and even game show prizes. But where do your workers’ comp payments come in?
Workers’ compensation payments are designed to replace any wages you might have lost as a result of a workplace accident or illness, but these benefits are a significant reduction from your previous paycheck. Will you have to give Uncle Sam his cut and lose even more money?
In short, you want to know: “is workers compensation taxable income?” The short answer is ‘no’, workers compensation benefits are not taxable. But we need to explain it to you in depth because there are some exceptions. Read more
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