What does a worker’s compensation cover when you’re injured? Workers’ compensation insurance pays for many work-related injuries Oregon, including long-term and repetitive motion injuries. For example, in some cases, employees are exposed to chemicals that aren’t immediately obvious over time. Other times, the effects may not become evident for years. Workers’ compensation insurance also pays for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lost wages after an injury.

Medical Treatment

You may wonder if worker’s compensation insurance covers medical treatment if you have been injured at work. The good news is that medical treatment is often covered. Worker’s compensation insurance will pay for your doctor’s visits and other medical costs related to your work injury. For example, if you’re a painter and fall off a ladder, workers’ compensation insurance will pay for the medical treatment you need, including medications and surgery. It will even pay for the cost of physical rehabilitation.

Whether or not medical treatment is covered depends on the type of injury and its severity. In California, medical treatment must be approved by the claims administrator. It must follow scientific guidelines, and medical facilities cannot bill workers for medical treatment unrelated to their jobs. Additionally, physicians treating workers must follow a strict medical treatment utilization schedule. While the process is lengthy, the benefits can be extremely beneficial.

Lost Wages

You are likely entitled to compensation for lost wages if you’re injured at work. Lost wages are calculated according to state law. Sometimes, the worker can be denied compensation if the employer refuses to provide light-duty work during their injury. If you stay home for more than three days, your insurer must provide you with lost wages. In addition, you must provide proof of the injury and obtain a medical report from your treating doctor.

Workers’ compensation benefits are designed to pay your lost wages when work-related injuries occur. These benefits are not, however, total wages. Instead, they are subject to certain factors and percentage formulas set by law. Additionally, the compensation benefits may not cover the full cost of your medical bills, nor do they help get you back to work. That is why many people choose to hire a workers’ compensation attorney. An attorney can help you understand your rights and file for compensation.

Rehabilitation

If you recently sustained an injury during your employment, you may wonder whether worker’s compensation benefits cover rehabilitation. To receive reimbursement for rehabilitation, you must obtain a physician’s prescription that outlines the extent of your physical limitations and has been determined to be medically necessary. In addition, the doctor must be part of your employer’s workers’ compensation network. Therefore, a doctor’s referral is required, and only an in-network doctor can provide rehabilitative therapy.

Short-term rehabilitation services may help you return to work as soon as possible. Some workers’ compensation plans will pay for immediate post-injury treatment to help you recover. Ongoing physical therapy is also sometimes covered. These sessions are geared toward restoring function and reducing the risk of future work-related injuries. Workers’ compensation benefits can help you pay for physical therapy as well. This service can help you get back to work and be more productive in the workplace.