Workers' Compensation Resources

If you’ve been injured on the job, workers’ compensation benefits can help you recover, pay your bills, and get back to work. However, navigating the workers’ compensation system can be difficult without the proper guidance. For more information about workers’ comp, the right to safety in the workplace, specifics on benefits for injured workers, and employer legal obligations, see the FindLaw Workers’ Compensation section. Workers' comp is a state-specific program, so to apply for benefits you'll need the appropriate forms for your state.

Some industries have specific laws to provide for employee injuries, including railroad workers. If you're a railroad employee, see the FindLaw Railroad Injuries section on the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). Construction workers are also at higher risk of injuries on the job. To learn more about construction industry specific injuries and applicable laws, read this section. More industry specific resources are listed below.

The following are workers’ comp resources to help you learn about the claims process and get the benefits you need:

• Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) - The Department of Labor’s OWCP administers four major disability compensation programs providing replacement benefits, medical treatment, vocational rehabilitation, and more.
• Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation (DFEC) - The DFEC handles workers’ compensation coverage for three million federal and postal workers around the world.
• Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC) - The DEEOIC handles workers’ compensation and medical benefits for employees of the Department of Energy, its agencies, contractors, subcontractors, and more.
• Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation (DLHWC) - The DLHWC works to ensure that workers’ compensation benefits under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act are paid promptly and properly.
• Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation (DCMWC) - The DCMWC (also known as the Federal Black Lung Program) administers claims filed by coal miners under the Black Lung Benefits Act.
• National Council of Compensation Insurance (NCCI) - The NCCI is one of the nation’s most comprehensive sources for information on workers compensation insurance, including statistics and industry trends.
• American Association of State Compensation Insurance Funds (AASCIF) - The AASCIF is an association of workers’ compensation insurance companies from 26 states and eight workers’ compensation boards in Canada.
• Directory of Qualified Workers' Compensation Attorneys - FindLaw provides a directory of attorneys who work on workers’ comp cases in your area.
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Workers' Compensation Tax Status - Workers' comp is generally fully exempt from taxation by the IRS, with a small benefit reduction exception.
• Social Security Disability - Workers' compensation is different from federal Social Security disability benefits, but you may want to apply for both if you believe your disability will prevent you from working and will last longer than year.
• Unemployment Insurance - If your former employer has no work for you and you haven't been able to find other work you're able to do, you may want to apply for unemployment benefits. However, you wouldn’t usually be eligible for both unemployment and workers' comp at the same time.

Get Legal Advice About Your Workers' Compensation Claim

Even the simplest injury can lead to considerable obstacles, such as proving that the injury was in fact work-related or covered by insurance. In any event, your employer is required by law to provide fair compensation in the event of a workplace injury or illness. If you have questions about your claim, or want to find out whether you should sue your employer, get in touch with a skilled workers' compensation lawyer in your area today.