Work-related injuries

Work-related injuries are physical or mental harm employees sustain while performing job duties, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Workers’ compensation insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages for incidents such as slips on warehouse floors, repetitive strain from typing, or falls from scaffolding.

OSHA reported 2.6 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in private industry in 2021. Employers must report serious work-related injuries, like amputations or hospitalizations, within 24 hours per federal regulations, according to a report from YourInsurance.info.

Work-related injuries include sprains from lifting boxes at Amazon warehouses or burns suffered by restaurant cooks. Doctors typically certify whether an injury is work-related before insurers approve claims.

Workers’ compensation policies exclude self-inflicted injuries and those caused by intoxication. Employees file workers’ compensation claims directly with their employer’s insurance carrier for benefits related to work injuries.

Injured workers can appeal denied claims through state workers’ compensation boards such as the California Division of Workers’ Compensation. Premiums for workers’ compensation insurance depend on factors like payroll amounts, industry risks–such as higher rates in construction compared to retail–and past workplace accident history.

Most states require employers with even a single employee, including businesses like hair salons or landscaping companies, to carry workers’ compensation coverage by law.