State law generally requires a minimum of 3 employees before worker's compensation coverage becomes mandatory. Medical benefits include all medical services, including drugs, therapy, psychiatric care, rehabilitation, nursing services, home health aides and the like that are necessary to treat the work injury. Ordinarily, care must be rendered by a physician who is approved by the worker's compensation insurance company. In some states, benefits may be terminated after a certain number of months or years even if the employee has not fully recovered from his injury. The compensation carrier must provide the employee with the names of authorized physicians so that treatment can begin.
Emergency care is covered even without specific authorization.
After a waiting period specified by state law, wage replacement benefits should also begin. An injury occurring in the course of employment is a compensable injury. Generally, once the employee has begun his work duties, any subsequent accident which occurs will be within the course of his employment, even if he is travelling between job sites. Injuries that result from horseplay or use of alcohol or drugs are not compensable. A. Benefits are payable for work injuries irrespective of whether the employee, employer or fellow employee caused the injury.