Nebraska’s Workers’ Compensation program provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill as a result of work-related activities. In this article, we will discuss the different types of personal injuries that are covered by Nebraska Workers’ Compensation and the benefits available to employees who have suffered from workplace injuries.
Table of Contents
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ Compensation is a system that provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their work activities. Workers’ Compensation was created to ensure that employees are compensated for their injuries or illnesses without having to go through the legal system to obtain compensation.
In Nebraska, the Workers’ Compensation program is a no-fault system, which means that employees do not need to prove that their employer was at fault for their injury or illness in order to receive benefits.
What Types of Personal Injuries Are Covered?
Under Nebraska Workers’ Compensation laws, any injury that arises out of and in the course of employment is covered. This includes injuries that occur while an employee is performing work-related activities, including injuries that occur on an employer’s property and injuries that occur while an employee is traveling for work.
Injuries covered by Nebraska Workers’ Compensation laws include:
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Hearing loss
- Back injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Slip and fall injuries
- Burns
- Eye injuries
- Broken bones
What Benefits Are Available?
If an employee is injured or becomes ill as a result of their work activities, they are eligible to receive benefits under Nebraska Workers’ Compensation laws. These benefits may include:
Medical Benefits
Under Nebraska law, employees who are injured on the job are entitled to medical treatment that is necessary to treat their injury or illness. This includes doctor visits, hospital stays, surgery, and physical therapy. Employees must obtain treatment from a participating provider.
Wage Replacement Benefits
Employees who are injured on the job and are unable to work are entitled to receive wage replacement benefits under Nebraska Workers’ Compensation laws. These benefits are paid at a rate of two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $871 per week.
Permanent Partial Disability Benefits
Employees who suffer permanent partial disabilities as a result of their workplace injury may be entitled to permanent partial disability benefits. These benefits are paid in addition to wage replacement benefits and are calculated based on the severity of the disability.
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
Employees who are unable to return to their previous job as a result of their work-related injury may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation benefits. These benefits may include retraining, education, and job placement services.
How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
In order to receive benefits under Nebraska Workers’ Compensation laws, employees must file a claim with their employer’s Workers’ Compensation carrier. This should be done as soon as possible after the injury or illness occurs.
To file a claim, employees should notify their employer immediately after the injury or illness occurs. If the employer does not offer treatment or does not provide necessary information, employees should contact their Workers’ Compensation carrier directly.
Conclusion
If you have suffered a workplace injury or illness, you may be entitled to receive benefits under Nebraska Workers’ Compensation laws. It is important to speak with your employer and obtain medical treatment as soon as possible after your injury or illness occurs. By taking immediate action and filing a claim for Workers’ Compensation, you can ensure that you receive the benefits you are entitled to under the law.