II. Background
- Worker Compensation is regulated by individual states in the U.S.
- Worker Compensation is not insurance
- Worker Compensation is an amortized business expense
- Companies pay back full medical expense with interest
- Most patients do not like to be on Worker Compensation
- Workers uncommonly cheat system or recurrently file
- Benefits are meager compared to a worker's salary
- Coworkers often outcast those on Worker Compensation
- Most workers wish to return to work as soon as able
- Coverage for workers ill or injured due to employment
- Medical coverage
- Indemnity coverage
- Maximal benefits
- General cap: 66% of wages
- Higher wage earner: <50% of wages
III. Definitions: Aspects of Disability
- Degree of medical Impairment related to employability
- Partial Disability
- Patient able to engage in gainful employment
- Disability prevents return to usual occupation
- Total Disability
- No gainful employment in a reasonable labor market
- Partial Disability
- Duration of medical Impairment
- Defined after maximal medical improvement reached
- Maximal response to therapy acceptable to patient
- Categories
- Permanent
- Temporary
- Defined after maximal medical improvement reached
IV. History: Key information
- History of Injury or Illness
- Injury
- Date of onset
- Mechanism of injury
- Illness
- Firm diagnosis
- Strong exposure
- Temporal relationship between illness and exposure
- Epidemiologic literature supports the claim
- Injury
- Work history
- Duration of employment
- Other concurrent jobs, hobbies, and sports
- Work exposures
- Job satisfaction
- Relationship with boss
- Pre-existing illness or injuries
- How recent did this occur?
- How frequently has this occurred?
- Any permanent restrictions or assigned Disability
V. Resources
- U.S. Department of Labor Worker's Compensation Programs
- Workers Compensation