Many careers are associated with a known degree of risk. Firefighters, construction professionals and others in high-risk careers could end up hurt or even dying because of their work. Workers’ compensation helps reduce the financial risk that comes with employment by covering critical benefits.
Injured employees can seek support through workers’ compensation benefits when they need medical treatment or cannot work because of injuries. They may be eligible for disability benefits and medical coverage.
Surviving family members who have lost a loved one because of a work-related incident or job-acquired illness may have grounds to request workers’ compensation benefits. The support available for surviving dependent family members can limit the long-term economic hardship triggered by a professional tragedy.
Funeral or burial benefits
Memorializing a deceased individual and properly handling their remains can be a difficult and costly undertaking. Cremation, burial and memorial services can add up to thousands of dollars in sudden expenses. Families may struggle to cover those costs. The rules for workers’ compensation benefits in New Mexico currently allow grieving family members to seek reimbursement for up to $7,500 worth of funeral or burial expenses. That can reduce the immediate financial pressure on surviving dependents after a tragedy.
Wage replacement benefits
Injured workers receive disability benefits that replace a portion of their lost income. Grieving family members can qualify for similar payments. When a worker dies because of their job, workers’ compensation can provide up to 700 weeks of benefits. The amount the family receives is not the full amount of wages the deceased individual earned but rather what they could have received in total disability benefits through workers’ compensation.
Medical benefits
Ambulance transportation to a hospital, emergency trauma care and other medical treatment can be incredibly expensive. Workers’ compensation can help cover those costs. Instead of needing to cover a large deductible or pay co-insurance, families can rely on workers’ compensation for full medical coverage for treatment administered to a covered employee prior to their passing.
Securing support when applying for workers’ compensation benefits after a tragedy can help families. Those who have support are less likely to make mistakes or delay filing for so long that they lose the right to request benefits.