FAQs

What is workers’ compensation?
What is covered?
When does coverage start?
What should you do in the event of an injury?
What benefits are available under workers’ compensation?
How long will my claim last?
Do I need an attorney if I’m injured on the job?
Maximum benefits table

1.   What is workers’ compensation?
   • Workers’ Compensation is a no-fault insurance plan which is required for every employer in the State of Mississippi with more than 5 employees except for charitable organizations and farmers.
   • No-fault means that if you are injured at work you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits even if nobody did anything wrong to cause your injury. (Top of FAQ)
2.   What is covered?
   • Any injury is covered. It doesn’t matter if the injury is serious or not. All that matters is that the injury occurred on the job. Gradually developing ‘injuries’ like lung conditions from breathing in air contaminated on the work site or carpal tunnel syndrome that typically occurs over years of repetitive work with the hand(s) are usually covered. Work need not be the sole ’cause’ of an injury or disability, so long as it can be shown that the work contributed to it by way of aggravating a preexisting condition or accelerating a condition that would not have become disabling but for the work.(Top of FAQ)
3.   When does coverage start?
   • Coverage begins on the first day of employment. Coverage remains even if an injured employee is terminated or quits. (Top of FAQ)
4.   What should you do in the event of an injury?
   • You should immediately report an injury to your employer (your immediate supervisor, company nurse or HR representative) even if you don’t think it is serious.
   • You should make a written report and keep a copy of the report.
   • You should have witnesses sign the written report confirming the injury. (Top of FAQ)
5.   What benefits are available under workers’ compensation?
   • Medical treatment is available and you don’t have to pay for any of the treatment. There is no deductible or co-pay in workers’ compensation. The right to receive medical treatment paid by the employer and insurance carrier for a work injury is unlimited in amount (even if it costs millions and millions to get you what you need to recover or live with the injury) and duration (you get medical benefits for the rest of your life or until the effects of the work injury are concluded finally).
   • Also, if a physician takes you off work for more than 5 days as a result of your injury you are entitled to disability or indemnity benefits. These benefits are paid at 2/3’s of an injured workers’ average weekly wage up to a maximum weekly benefit for the year in which the injury occurred. (See benefits table below)
   • If you are entitled to disability benefits these are paid once every 14 days. (Top of FAQ)
6.   How long will my claim last?
   • You have two years from the date of your injury to file a claim.
   • Remember, even if the workers’ compensation employer or insurance company is paying for your medical benefits they will stop doing this after 2 years unless you have filed a petition to controvert against them at the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission.
   • There are also times when you may only have 1 year to file a petition to controvert with the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission.
   • Protect yourself! (Top of FAQ)
7.   Do I need an attorney if I’m injured on the job?
   • Not all employees injured on the job will need an attorney. We highly recommend seeking the advice of an attorney if you have an on the job injury. Our attorneys will be glad to meet with you to discuss your work injury at no cost to you. You do not have an obligation to hire us just because you meet with any of us. (Top of FAQ)

  benefits table
WEEKLY MAXIMUM AND LIFETIME MAXIMUM BENEFITS

(Top of FAQ)