How do you get workers comp?

Question

and how does it work? Any info on this would be helpful

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 1

You get the coverage by being employed - almost every employer is required to cover its employees under worker's compensation insurance. You receive the benefit when you make a claim because of an injury sustained in the workplace or an illness caused by something you were exposed to at work (like asbestos or coal dust.)

For a work-related injury or illness, you are usually sent to a company-paid provider or clinic. Your condition will be evaluated and the doctor will recommend a course of treatment. Depending on your company polcies, you may also be required to take a drug test at this time. WC insurance covers the cost of the treatment and provides some coverage for lost wages if you must be off of work for a period of time.

Warning - if you are thinking about faking a claim to collect benefits, it ain't as easy as it used to be. Many companies are onto that game now. I've prosecuted WC claimants for fraud and won...witness statements, video footage, and private investigators are used by companies who don't want to pay money so a perfectly healthy employee can watch the soaps instead of working.

Answer 2

You get injured on the job such that you are unable to perform the tasks required for your job. Your employer verifies that this was an on-the-job injury. You or your employer contacts the state and files the appropriate paperwork. You prove to the state that this was indeed a job-related injury and that you can no longer perform that job as you did before. Depending on the type of injury and the extent of permanent damage, you collect a check from the state. Do not even think about faking an injury in order to collect workers comp as states like to hold onto their money and will go to great lengths to find proof that you are trying to scam them.