Not sure whether your business needs workers’ compensation plans? Read on to get the answer. At the beginning of the 20^th century, US states begin enacting workers' compensation laws that required companies to provide medical expense reimbursements, wage replacement payments, and other benefits to sick or injured employees. Today, the exact requirements differ by state, but organizations with more than one worker are required by law to offer workers' compensation benefits. In this guide, you'll understand why you need workers compensation plans, but before that, let's discover what workers' compensation is: What is Workers’ Compensation? Workers’ compensation is a system that issues monetary benefits to employees who become disabled or injured in the course of their employment. It’s a type of insurance that helps compensate workers for the disabilities or injuries sustained during work. By agreeing to receive compensation from their employer, employees agree to give up their right to sue the employer for negligence. This way, a workers’ compensation plan protects both the employee and the employer. Why Do You Need Workers’ Compensation Plans? Compensate Employees The most critical reason to consider workers’ compensation plans is to provide medical coverage to injured or disabled employees. It covers the fees for nursing care, hospital treatment, doctor visits, medical diagnostic tests, medications, medical equipment such as wheelchairs, and physical therapy. Most states allow employers to provide the benefits through a managed care plan. The plan will typically have a provider network, that is, a group of healthcare providers working in affiliation with an employer or an insurer to offer medical services. Provide Disability Benefits These are meant to replace the proportion of wages a worker loses while they're disabled as a result of a work-related injury. The number of benefits a worker receives will depend on the nature of the disability. The four categories of disability include: Temporary Total: Totally disabled and will be unable to work for a short period. Temporary Partial: Partly disabled and can work. Permanent Total: Totally disabled and can no longer perform the job they were doing due to the permanent injury. Permanent Partial: A permanent injury resulting in a partial disability. It prevents the worker from earning as much as he used to earn. Protect Your Business By seeking workers’ compensation plans, your business can avoid the hefty medical expenses and lost wages associated with a workplace injury. Without the plan, the event can cause significant financial harm to your business. A reliable insurance agent will provide loss control services that will keep premiums low and reduce costly claims. Besides, workers’ compensation plans can foster speedy recovery for injured workers, who will then be back to work much faster, precluding the need to hire another employee. The costs associated with reduced productivity and hiring and training new employees can be avoided. Now that you know why your business needs workers’ compensation plans, it’s time to find the right insurance provider. For promising workers’ compensation plans, contact Bay Insurance Services today!