Compensation claims advice
The definition of a compensation claim is anything given as an equivalent, or to make amends for a loss, damage involved due to an injury. This could further lead to financial loss e.g. unemployment.
In workers compensation terms, this is a government sponsored insurance system, funded by contributions from employers for compensating employees for an injury or occupational disease.
In a civil lawsuit, victims may recover for their financial losses, actual and potential lost earnings, medical bills, plus emotional distress/pain and suffering.
A victim’s spouse may recover for the loss of a victim’s companionship and services. The amount of compensation can vary due to the circumstances of the case. There are differences between a civil lawsuit and worker’s compensation. For example with a worker’s compensation the law restricts the types of damages that can be recovered by an injured worker.
In theory, only medical bills are to be paid, and to recover lost wages and loss of earning capacity. The damages in a civil lawsuit are much broader. In addition to the items of damage recovery in a worker’s compensation claim, a civil lawsuit allows recovery for pain and suffering in the past and future.
Compensation claims don’t just apply to workers and individuals involved in an accident. There is also compensation for crime victims. Crime victim compensation money is available through the Department of Justice, Crime Victim Compensation Programme.
This may help victims to pay for expenses such as medical, hospital, funeral expenses or lost wage. There are approximately 2,500 claims filed each year, around 75% of those are approved and benefits are paid.
Updated on 6/26/2008