Workers’ Compensation in Kentucky

Filing for workers’ compensation in Kentucky depends on certain laws which detail what may be filed as a workman’s comp claim, and what kinds of benefits may be received upon winning such a claim.

Workers’ Compensation in Ky.

Kentucky’s workers compensation law governs the rules for benefits involving injuries that were caused by any accidents at the workplace, or involving the duties performed by an employee as they pertain to his or her job. This includes the development of an occupational disease; trip and fall accidents; poisoning or intoxication due to chemicals or substances used at the workplace or in order to perform workplace duties, and more. Death benefits for the family of a person who died while at work or while performing occupational duties are also available.

Encountering Hazards

Almost any occupation has its fair share of hazards. Cooking jobs carry with them the risk of severe burns and cuts. Working around chemicals or asbestos can cause cancer. Even office jobs have a risk for carpal tunnel syndrome.

These injuries sustained at the workplace or while performing occupational duties are all covered by workers’ compensation. However, the use of drugs, alcohol, or otherwise participating in activities which are against workplace policies and procedures which result in an accident – may not be covered by workers’ compensation.

All activities which lead to any form of injury while performing required functions according to your job description, must be free of activities which are expressly prohibited by the company.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Medical treatment, hospital visits, inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation, medications, travel expenses, and lost wages are all recoverable. These costs and losses can be obtained and are the responsibility of your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer. In fact, there are multiple types of income replacement benefits which are available in Northern Kentucky. These include:

• Permanent Total Disability Benefits (PTD), which is where the injured party will receive up to two-thirds of their average weekly wage every week before their injury, as long as it does not exceed Kentucky’s average weekly wage. This occurs when the injured is deemed permanently injured, and subsequently unable to perform any kind of work.

• Temporary Total Disability Benefits (TTD) is where the injured party may collect up to two-thirds of their pre-injury weekly wages temporarily, while they heal from their injuries. This occurs when the injured will eventually return to work once healed from their injuries.

• Permanent Partial Disability Benefits (PPD) is where the injured party will receive benefits and payment consistent with his or her injuries. This individual can return to work on some level, but cannot function at the same capacity as before the injury.

If you have been injured while on the job in Covington, Newport, or Florence – contact a personal injury attorney experienced in Kentucky law immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement.