If you are injured at work, you can file a claim and recover benefits from your employer. However, there are many mistruths that you may have heard that make this coverage confusing.
Here, you can learn some of the most common workers’ compensation myths and the truth about them.
Myth 1: You can’t recover benefits if the injury was your fault
When it comes to things like auto insurance, fault plays a big role in if you can recover benefits. However, this is not the case with workers’ compensation benefits. In fact, fault is not a factor (in most cases). You would not be entitled to benefits, for example, if you were intoxicated or purposefully caused your own injury.
Myth 2: Small businesses aren’t required to have workers’ comp
The law requires that any business that meets the stipulations of the Act — which is almost all of them — must show proof that they can provide workers comp benefits if an employee is injured. Most employers do this by purchasing an insurance policy from a private company. However, some employers opt to be self-insured.
Myth 3: If you file a workers’ compensation claim, you may be fired
Employers are not allowed to fire an employee for filing a workers’ compensation claim – this is illegal. If this happens, the employer may face serious consequences like significant fines and prosecution.
As a worker in Michigan, you have the right to recover medical costs and time away from work if you are injured on the job, along with other benefits. It is important to know the truth about this coverage, so you fully understand your legal rights.