{"id":358075,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:22","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/workers-compensation-law.html"},"modified":"2024-04-06T15:34:58","modified_gmt":"2024-04-06T20:34:58","slug":"workers-compensation-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/workers-compensation-law.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is Workers’ Compensation Law?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is Workers' Compensation Law?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Workers’ compensation insurance is state-mandated insurance. It pays employees’ medical bills, lost wages, and partial disability benefits for workplace injuries and illnesses. If you are seriously hurt at work, you can report the injury to your employer to begin the claim process.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Employers with even one employee must carry workers’ comp insurance. Workers’ comp is no-fault insurance. Employees receive medical treatment for all work-related injuries and illnesses, no matter who is at fault. In return, injured workers waive all rights to sue employers for negligence.<\/p>\n

If a workers’ comp claim were that straightforward, employees would never need legal advice. Unfortunately, there are many situations when employers or insurance companies may deny part or all of a claim. Sometimes, a third party causes an on-the-job injury, and workers’ compensation will not cover you.<\/p>\n

In these cases, you need advice from a workers’ compensation attorney<\/a>. Read on to learn more about workers’ compensation law and how an attorney can help your case.<\/p>\n

What Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance?<\/h2>\n

Every state except Texas requires private employers to have\u00a0workers’ compensation insurance<\/a>\u00a0for their employees. Workers’ comp protects workers who suffer injuries and illnesses caused by conditions at their workplace.\u00a0Workers’ compensation covers<\/a>:<\/p>\n