Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Colorado Springs
When an incident at work causes your injuries, you may be unsure how you will handle the cost of your medical care and lost income while recovering. Luckily, workers’ compensation benefits could help injured workers cover their medical bills and lost wages after an injury of this nature.
In 1915, Colorado established workers’ compensation laws to protect workers from dangerous conditions and on-the-job injuries. The Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act requires all businesses with employees in the state to carry workers’ compensation coverage. Workers’ compensation insurance provides employees with medical, wage, and other financial coverage when injured at work.
After an injury sustained on the job, discussing your claim with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney is crucial. Employers and insurance adjusters often make settlement offers far below what the victims deserve, but our skilled attorneys could fight to get you appropriate workers’ compensation benefits in Colorado Springs.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Workers’ compensation benefits help employees recover from on-the-job injuries and illnesses. For example, workers’ compensation benefits can cover the following:
- Past and future medical care
- Lost income while recovering
- Disability coverage
- Death benefits, including funeral coverage
These payments are in place to protect employees and limit the employer’s legal liability in the event of a work-related accident. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney will understand the relevant laws and procedures governing benefits for workplace injuries.
Depending on the nature of a victim’s injury, they may suffer temporary total disability or temporary partial disability. If an employee is disabled due to a workplace injury for a temporary period, the employer must pay 60 percent of their average weekly wages. For temporary partial disability, employers must cover up to 60 percent of the difference between what was earned before the incident and after. Temporary partial disability and temporary total disability benefits are paid for a limited period based on the victim’s injuries.
In the most severe cases, workers may suffer a permanent total or partial disability. When an employee’s disability is permanent, they may receive two-thirds of their average weekly income until death. Determining the amount of potential benefits can be overwhelming. If you suffered injuries on-the-job, consider discussing your claim with a workers’ compensation lawyer.
Timeline for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Colorado
Employees often struggle with whether or not to file for workers’ compensation benefits after an injury because they believe their injuries are not severe enough. Workers’ compensation benefits cover any injury, regardless if it is minor or severe. There are various ways employees suffer on-the-job injuries, including:
- Slip and falls
- Overexertion from carrying or moving heavy objects
- Contact with dangerous equipment
- Vehicle-related accidents
- Electrocution
- Workplace violence
Most of these injuries are avoidable if employers follow workplace safety guidelines. Suffering a work-related injury can be devastating, but our team of experienced workers’ compensation attorneys can guide you through the process of obtaining benefits.
Colorado workers’ compensation law provides strict timelines for employees and employers to follow after a workplace accident. Employees typically have four days from the date of injury to report it to their employer. After initial notice of the injury, employers have ten days to report the claim to their insurer. Lastly, insurance companies have twenty days to respond to an employee’s claim.
Discuss Workers’ Compensation Benefits With an Attorney in Colorado Springs
If you suffered injuries in a work-related accident, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Our Colorado Springs workers’ compensation attorneys want to help you obtain the benefits you deserve so that you can focus on recovery. To discuss filing a claim for benefits, contact our office today.