Workers Compensation Insurance
What is Workers Compensation Insurance?
When an employee experiences a workplace injury, they may face serious personal and financial challenges, including:
Medical bills for emergency treatment and ongoing care
Temporary or permanent disabilities requiring rehabilitation
Lost income due to an inability to work
Workers compensation insurance helps provide financial support for these challenges. Because the injury occurred while on the job, the employer’s workers compensation policy typically covers necessary expenses.
Who Does Workers Compensation Cover?
Workers compensation insurance serves two main purposes:
Protecting the Employer – In most cases, employees who accept workers compensation benefits waive the right to sue their employer for workplace injuries.
Supporting the Employee – Benefits help replace lost income and cover medical costs while the employee recovers.
All eligible employees, both full-time and part-time, are covered under Kentucky law, with only limited exceptions.
How Does Workers Compensation Work?
Workers compensation covers a wide range of workplace injuries, including:
Slip-and-fall accidents
Burns and machinery injuries
Vehicle-related accidents
Repetitive motion or chronic illness from workplace conditions
Toxic exposure
Hearing loss
Depending on the injury and eligibility, workers compensation may provide:
Income assistance
Medical benefits
Vocational rehabilitation
Death benefits for survivors in case of a fatal workplace accident
To receive benefits, the injured employee must:
Obtain verification of the injury from a licensed physician of their choice.
File the necessary documentation with their workers compensation claim.
Once submitted, the insurer evaluates the claim according to Kentucky’s workers compensation guidelines to determine the benefit amount and duration of coverage.
