WORKERS
COMPENSATION BENEFITS VS. GROUP BENEFITS
Sometimes an employer or injured worker may confuse
workers' compensation to group benefits. There
should be no confusion. The two benefits are
distinctly different.
Group benefits are disability payments received for
a non-work-related injury. Termed "sickness and
accident (S & A) benefits," the group provision is
no substitute for workers' compensation, which
covers an on-the-job injury. If you become injured
at work, you should apply for workers' compensation.
There are other reasons why workers' compensation
benefits are better than group benefits:
- Taxes -
Unlike group benefits, workers' compensation
payments are not subject to taxes; withholding
taxes are deducted from group benefits.
- More Money
- Workers' compensation pays better benefits.
Under the insurance, you receive two-thirds of
your gross pay or $529.00 per week, whichever is
lower. Group benefits are usually less than $150
per week.
- Longevity -
Workers' compensation covers the total
disability with payments for as long as you need
it Depending on the injury, the payments can
last for the rest of your life. Generally, group
benefits last for up to 26 weeks — usually less.
- Pay Scale
Adjustment - A person injured, who goes on
workers' compensation and works certain tasks
because of his or her injury, will not suffer a
substantial pay loss. Workers' compensation pays
two-thirds of your pay loss if you return to
work at a lower-rate, limited-duty job because
of your injuries. Group benefits do not pay this
adjustment.
- Medical
Coverage - Workers' compensation pays all of
your medical bills. Under a group benefits plan,
your coverage may be limited depending upon the
insurance carrier your employer selects.
In some cases,
employers may deny you workers' compensation
benefits. Should this happen, apply for group
benefits. Once you start receiving payments, contact
an attorney and file for workers' compensation.
Once approved, workers' compensation will pay all
your medical bills in addition payments equal to the
difference between the workers' compensation
benefits and the group benefits.
If you are
injured at work, or if your work irritates a
pre-existing physical problem or you develop a
disease or illness from your job, you are entitled
to workers' compensation benefits.
Do not permanently lose your right to seek
workers compensation benefits that you are entitled
to receive after a work-related injury.
Please contact a Munley, Munley & Cartwright Workers
Compensation Lawyer by
e-mail or telephone 1-800-WORKERS today for an
assessment of your case.
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