{"id":3099,"date":"2016-02-25T12:51:22","date_gmt":"2016-02-25T17:51:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insureyourcompany.com\/?p=3099"},"modified":"2016-02-25T12:51:22","modified_gmt":"2016-02-25T17:51:22","slug":"what-are-the-legal-requirements-for-workers-compensation-for-businesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/insureyourcompany.com\/blog\/what-are-the-legal-requirements-for-workers-compensation-for-businesses\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are The Legal Requirements For Workers’ Compensation For Businesses?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Workers’ compensation insurance<\/a>, commonly called workers’ or workman’s comp, is a mandate whereby businesses are required to purchase insurance for employees who are injured during their normal course of duties while on a job or acquire an illness or condition directly attributed to the workplace.<\/p>\n

Each state sets its own guidelines, therefore the legal requirements for workers’ compensation for companies can vary slightly depending on where the business is located. For example, it\u2019s required in the state of New Jersey. The structure and procedures, however,\u00a0are generally the same throughout the United States, and are subject to each state’s specific laws. Businesses that work for the federal government are covered under a separate set of rules regardless of the state in which they are located.<\/p>\n

The workers’ compensation<\/a> system is theoretically a compromise between a business and its employees, as workers receive insurance coverage at no cost to themselves no matter who is at fault if injuries or illnesses occur either on the job or as a result of repetitive circumstances or possibly harmful environments.<\/p>\n

In exchange, workers’ compensation insurance protects businesses from lawsuits<\/a> seeking monetary damages for medical bills and related pain and suffering.<\/p>\n

What Employers Must Cover<\/h2>\n

Illnesses and injuries do not necessarily have to occur in the primary workplace. For example, if an employee becomes injured or ill while traveling on work-related business, that employee would receive compensation under the system.<\/p>\n

On-the-job accidents<\/a> involving machinery, unexpected mishaps, and similar situations are what most individuals think of when they hear the term \u201cworkers’ compensation,\u201d but the legal reality encompasses much more.<\/p>\n

Repetitive stress injuries, cumulative trauma disorder, occupational overuse syndrome, and regional musculoskeletal disorder involving the upper and lower back and other joints in the body due to manual tasks performed on the job are also covered. Examples include carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff syndrome, Reynaud’s disease, medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow), and lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).<\/p>\n

Employers must also cover conditions that develop over time. Many result for regular exposure to chemicals or simply an unhealthy work environment. Examples include various types of cancers, lung diseases, and stress-related conditions.<\/p>\n

Benefits Provided By Workers\u2019 Comp<\/h2>\n

Monetary compensation is perhaps the largest component, covering items such as:<\/p>\n