Construction Site Accidents – Who Will Pay For My Lost Wages?
Under Indiana Workers Compensation laws, construction site victims will be provided not only medical care, but also compensation for lost wages if they are unable to return to work. The Indiana Compensation Act offers three types of benefits to injured workers:
- Medical care for work-related injuries
- Wage replacement due to injuries
- Payment for any permanent impairment
Wage replacement is paid weekly after the employee misses more than 7 days of work due to injuries. Benefits are paid at 2/3 of the injured worker’s weekly wage, which is based upon wages from the previous year.
Compensation is also paid for a permanent impairment because of the work injury. This benefit results from permanent loss of use with part of the body. Amount of pay is determined by loss of physical use and not on the employee’s ability to perform job duties. The Indiana Compensation Act has a formula for determining the payment amount. Neither of these benefits is subject to income tax.
Of course, workers are required to notify their employer of their injuries as soon as possible. Injured employees are obligated to attend medical appointments and comply with treatments as directed by their employer or insurance carrier. Refusing to comply is reason for suspending any benefits to the injured worker.