At Lein Law Offices, we know that the period following a work-related injury in Wisconsin can be a frightening and confusing time. Not only do you need to receive the necessary medical treatment for your injury, but you also need to deal with the bureaucracy involved in filing for workers’ compensation benefits. This is not something that you can put off until you feel better. There are time limits that apply, and if you miss the deadlines, you may not be able to collect benefits at all.
It may help to alleviate your confusion if you know more about the different sorts of workers’ compensation benefits that are available. There are essentially three, i.e., wage loss, medical expenses and death benefits, and each has its own eligibility requirements.
If you are off work for seven or more workdays due to your injury, you may be able to recover lost wages for that time. There is a waiting period of three workdays before you can receive this benefit. However, you may receive reimbursement for this time if you qualify.
If you are unfit to work for a prolonged period of time due to your injury, you may qualify for disability benefits, which include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Permanent partial disability
- Temporary total disability
- Permanent total disability
Unlike wage loss/disability benefits, you do not need to take any time off because of the injury to qualify for medical expenses. Workers’ compensation should cover all reasonable medical expenses for a job-related injury.
Children, spouses and other dependents of a worker who dies in a job-related accident may be eligible for death benefits. These can include loss of wages as well as funeral expenses. More information about workers’ compensation benefits is available on our website.
