Your Workers Compensation Questions Answered

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Your Workers Compensation Questions Answered
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• If youre just starting out as a business owner,
  and havent yet got to grips with the ins and
  outs of workers compensation, here are answers to
  some of the most commonly asked questions
• Q. What exactly is workers compensation?
• A. Also known as workers comp, this insurance
  program is designed to give benefits to workers
  who injure themselves, or become sick while at
  work. Compensating them for associated medical
  costs and loss of wages, it can help protect
  business owners from costly litigation.

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• Q. How can I reduce claims and lower premiums?
• A. By assessing the safety of the work
  environment and determining whether anything
  needs to be repaired or replaced, creating a safe
  working environment by training all employees on
  workplace safety, and setting up an employee
  wellness program, are all ways to reduce the
  number of claims and lower your insurance
  premiums.

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• Q. If the employee is at fault even partially
  can they still be paid?
• A. Even if the employee was careless, if the
  injury happened within the scope of their
  employment, they are covered by workers comp.
  However, if the employee was found to have been
  under the influence of an alcohol or an illegal
  substance, they will typically not be covered.
• Q. If the injury occurred outside of the work
  environment, can the employee still collect
  benefits?
• A. Even if an employee wasnt at the workplace
  when they sustained an injury, if they were
  acting within the scope of their paid role and
  duties, they are usually covered, although the
  rules do vary from state to state.

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• Q. What types of injuries qualify for workers
  compensation?
• A. Almost any injury or illness related to their
  job can qualify the employee for workers
  compensation, especially if it results in an
  extended absence from work. Its important to
  note that injuries related to work can also occur
  outside of the normal work environment, and a
  compensation claim file can still be filed by the
  employee in question. Injuries or illnesses
  incurred while an employee is commuting to work,
  however, will not qualify for compensation.

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• Q. How long can an employee receive compensation
  for?
• A. The length of time varies from state to state,
  but generally, employees can expect to receive a
  maximum benefit provision window of between three
  and seven years, depending upon the nature and
  severity of the injury or illness. That said, it
  doesnt necessarily mean that the employee will
  not be able to work throughout this period, and
  they may be able to do so while still receiving
  financial compensation.

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• Workplace injuries and illnesses are a serious
  matter, and as workers compensation is mandatory
  in most states, it pays to find a suitable vendor
  and sign up for the insurance as soon as you
  begin taking on employees. Failure to do so could
  result in expensive fines and costly lawsuits.
• Apollo Payroll is dedicated to delivering expert
  advice, responsive service, and highly accurate
  payroll processing and reporting to ensure the
  success and growth of the business that we serve.
  Our services include comprehensive payroll
  services in Homestead and other cities in
  Miami-Dade County, employee background check and
  group health insurance in Miami Coral Gables