If you suffer a work-related injury, you may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can include medical care to help you recover, temporary disability, permanent impairment/disability and death benefits.
In addition to notifying your employer immediately following the accident, partnering with a workers’ compensation attorney to handle your claim can increase your chances of receiving the benefits you need and deserve. Your attorney can also help you avoid making mistakes as you file your claim for benefits.
Medical care
According to the Idaho Industrial Commission, you can receive “reasonable and necessary” medical care after you incur a workplace injury. This benefit can include medical care, x-rays, prescriptions, crutches, compensation for traveling to appointments, payment for hospital stays and more.
Temporary disability
You may be eligible for temporary disability benefits if your doctor decides you cannot work as you recover from your injury. Typically, you qualify for time-loss benefits if you have to miss five or more days of work.
Permanent impairment/disability
You may receive permanent impairment/disability benefits if you cannot return to the same type of work or another type of work after your injury. The benefits you receive and how long you receive them for depends on the extent of the disability or impairment.
Death benefits
If you die because of a work-related injury or disease, your surviving spouse is eligible to receive benefits for up to 500 weeks. Your dependent children may also be eligible for benefits until they turn 18. In certain circumstances, grandparents, grandchildren and siblings may be eligible for death benefits, too.