If you’re involved in a car crash while on the job you may be entitled to pursue various claims. First, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. The Workers’ Compensation Act is a no-fault act which basically means you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits regardless of who caused the crash. Although the act does not compensate claimants for pain and suffering there are numerous other benefits offered. For example, if your doctor opines that you are unable to ‘work’ you are entitled to wage loss benefits. In work comp, wage loss benefits are called temporary total disability benefits (TTD) and amounts to two thirds of your average weekly wage. You are also entitled to medical benefits without payment of a deductible or co-payment. Mileage reimbursement is also available for traveling to and from medical appointments. Prescription medication is also provided at no cost. Finally, once the doctor determines you are as good as you’re going to get, in terms of recovering from your work related injuries, an impairment rating is performed. The impairment rating measures your range of motion restrictions, if any, and also includes a certain percentage of impairment for your specific injury. The Work Comp Act includes a formula whereby we can determine the amount of disability benefits you will receive based on your impairment rating. In work comp, disability benefits are referred to as permanent partial disability benefits (PPD).

If injured on the job while driving you can also pursue claims against the at fault party. If you caused the crash you cannot pursue this type of claim and more than likely you are only entitled to work comp benefits. The benefit of pursuing claims against the at fault party is that you are entitled to recover all economic losses including any wage loss incurred and medical bills. You can also recover for any noneconomic losses including pain and suffering.

This is a brief synopsis of the recoverable benefits if involved in a car crash while on the job. For a more thorough explanation of potential recoverable benefits please contact a skilled car accident and Workers’ Comp attorney at Bell and Pollock, P.C.