Temporary workers provide flexibility to employers while gaining diverse work experiences.
However, when it comes to workplace injuries, questions often arise about whether temporary workers are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Understanding workers’ compensation
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that provides medical and wage replacement benefits to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses. The primary objective is to ensure that injured workers receive necessary medical care and financial support during their recovery.
Eligibility for temporary workers
Temporary workers, often hired through staffing agencies, are employees and generally eligible for workers’ compensation benefits like any other worker. Their status as temporary employees does not exempt them from coverage. However, there are certain requirements and steps to take.
The staffing agency or employer must have workers’ compensation coverage. It is the responsibility of the employer to provide this coverage, and they should inform their temporary workers about the availability of such benefits.
To be eligible, the injury must occur in the workplace or while performing job-related tasks. Injuries sustained outside of work or due to non-work-related activities are typically not covered.
Temporary workers should promptly report the injury to their supervisor or employer. Timely reporting is important to initiate the workers’ compensation claims process.
- Seek medical attention immediately after any incident, not only for your well-being but also to secure documentation of the injury. In some cases, the employer may have a designated healthcare provider for workers’ compensation cases.
Temporary and contract workers fill nearly 3,000,000 roles every day in the nation. Like with an employee, if unsafe conditions lead to an injury, they have the right to receive compensation.
