Worker's compensation laws require employers to pay employees benefits for injuries incurred on the job, no matter who is at fault for causing the injury. In return, these laws take away the worker's "common law" right to bring lawsuits against employers for injuries caused by the employer's negligence.

Workers' compensation normally covers all employers, regardless of size. However, most employers carry insurance to cover workers' compensation claims, so an employee who files a claim will probably deal with the employer's workers' compensation insurance company rather than the employer, because the money the employee receives will come from the insurance company. If your company has not yet obtained workers' compensation insurance, you should contact a lawyer or an insurance company immediately to arrange to have your business covered by this insurance.

Workers compensation covers all kinds of illnesses, injuries, and disabilities that are caused by the job or made worse by the job. Workers' compensation usually pays the employee's medical bills and some lost wages.

Must the injury occur on the job?
Covered injuries
Claim procedure
Appealing a claim to the state agency
What benefits are provided by Workers' Compensation?

Must the injury occur on the job?

Yes. Workers' compensation covers only "work-related" injuries. The injury must on the job and somehow be caused by what the employee is doing at work. The job doesn't have to be the only cause of the injury - it only has to contribute to the injury.