Knowing that you have a source of income to help meet your basic costs of living in the event that you are injured and unable to work can be an incredible relief. That’s why understanding your insurance options — both privately and through your employer — and ensuring that you’re protected should you be rendered temporarily or permanently disabled is so important.
Two types of insurance that can provide financial support in the event that you’re injured include workers’ compensation insurance and disability insurance. While these two insurance programs have some similarities, there are also some key differences.
What Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
Workers’ compensation insurance is a type of insurance that most employers in the state of Vermont are required to carry, according to the law. This type of insurance provides coverage for medical expenses and some wage replacement coverage in the event that a worker is injured at work.
One of the key facets of workers’ compensation is that it only covers work-related injuries and illnesses; if you are unable to prove that your injuries were incurred during the course of employment/while you were on the job, you will be ineligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
What Is Disability Insurance?
Similar to workers’ compensation insurance, disability insurance will replace a portion of your lost income in the event that you are injured or disabled and unable to work. The biggest difference between workers’ compensation insurance and disability insurance, though, is that disability insurance benefits can be recovered regardless of where your accident occurred, on or off the job.
Another big difference between workers’ compensation insurance and disability insurance is that workers’ compensation insurance is always provided through an employer and cannot be purchased independently, whereas disability insurance is sometimes available through an employer but can also be purchased through a private company. The federal government also offers disability benefits in the form of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Get Help from a Qualified Attorney
If you have been injured and are currently unable to work or earn an income, you may have questions about your options and how you should proceed in filing a claim. When you work with a qualified attorney who has experience in both workers’ compensation and disability insurance claims, your attorney can make a recommendation regarding which party you should file a claim, how much you may be able to receive, and sources of coverage available.
If someone else’s negligence directly caused your injury, your attorney can also recommend — and represent you throughout the process of — filing a personal injury claim.
Call Larson & Gallivan Law Today
At the law office of Larson & Gallivan, we know how important it is that you receive benefits when you’ve been injured, whether at work or elsewhere. For help navigating the claims process and learning more about your rights, contact our experienced Vermont attorneys today to schedule a free consultation. We are here to advocate for you!
Call Today! (802) 327-8458
