Understanding Workers' Compensation vs. Personal Injury Claims

You may wonder whether you should file for workers’ compensation or a personal injury claim if you have been injured at work. While these two terms may seem similar, they refer to different types of claims with distinct processes and outcomes.

Workers’ compensation, or workers’ comp, is a type of insurance employers are required to provide for employees in case they are injured on the job. This insurance protects workers’ rights and provides benefits, such as medical treatment and wage replacement, if they cannot work due to their injuries. To qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, employees must demonstrate that their injury occurred while performing job-related duties.

On the other hand, a personal injury claim is a civil lawsuit that can be filed by an individual who has been injured due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. This type of claim allows an individual to seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Unlike workers’ comp claims, which are limited to injuries sustained on the job, personal injury claims cover a wide range of accidents and incidents that occur outside the workplace. These include car accidents, slips and falls, product liability, and more.

Workers’ compensation claims require employees to prove their injury occurred at work, while personal injury claims require plaintiffs to demonstrate the defendant’s negligence. Workers’ comp benefits mainly cover medical expenses and wage replacement, whereas personal injury claims can include broader damages like pain and suffering and future lost wages.

If you are navigating the complexities of workers’ compensation or personal injury claims, you want experienced legal support. At Meyers & Flowers, our dedicated team of attorneys is here to help you understand your rights and confidently guide you through the claims process.

Call 815-223-0230 for a free consultation, and let us help you take the next steps toward recovery.

Meyers, Flowers, Bruno, McPhedran & Herrmann

1200 Maple Drive

Peru, IL 61354

815-223-0230

www.meyers-flowers.com