Vermont Workers’ Compensation can be an important form of insurance for most employers in the state. These policies can help protect your business and recover financial losses from workplace-related incidents, particularly injuries and illnesses.
With Vermont Workers’ Compensation insurance coverage from PolicySweet®, you can maintain legal compliance with this state mandate. Allow our Workers’ Compensation specialists to help determine what kind of policy suits your operations to help protect your company and employees.
What Benefits Does Vermont Workers’ Compensation Offer?
Workers may be entitled to benefits when they incur an injury or develop an illness while on duty. Most employers can claim benefits for their injured employees, including the following.
- Medical benefits: Vermont Workers’ Compensation can cover reasonable healthcare expenses and treatment costs.
- Vocational rehab benefits: Employees can seek vocational rehabilitation benefits, if their workplace injury left them unable to find suitable employment related to their work before the accident.
- Wage replacement benefits: Workers may be entitled to wage replacement benefits, if their injury prevents them from working for a period of time.
- Death benefits: If a work-related incident results in the death of an employee, the deceased’s family or beneficiaries may claim death benefits, including funeral expenses and damages.
The benefits you obtain for your injured workers can depend on your organization’s unique situation and the terms of your insurance policy. Consider speaking to our Vermont Workers’ Compensation specialists to help walk you through the process of obtaining a policy.
Employees Need To Prove Their Workplace Accident
In Vermont, employees should submit evidence to support their Workers’ Compensation claim. Supporting evidence may include:
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Other documentation
Workers’ Compensation claims may need evidence linking the employee’s injury and their duties in the workplace. Consider getting experts on your side to help you navigate the system.
Exceptions to Vermont Workers’ Compensation
Vermont Workers’ Compensation may not cover all work injuries. When eliminating coverage, it typically considers whether the claims meet the following factors.
- Employee intentions: Work injuries can be invalid for Workers’ Compensation if employees willfully hurt themselves or their colleagues. Workers’ Compensation may only cover unintentional workplace accidents or illnesses.
- Employee sobriety: Workers’ Compensation may not disburse recovery expenses for employees who survive accidents or incur diseases due to intoxication. Discovering that an employee abused a substance that led to their injury may exclude their claim.
- Employee irresponsibility: Vermont Workers’ Compensation law usually expects employees to use safety gear and appliances as needed. The failure to use such appliances or follow safety protocols may work against their Workers’ Compensation claim.
Meeting one or more of these three factors may cause the claim to be denied.
How To Report a Work-related Injury or Illness in Vermont
As an employer, you should report work-related injuries or illnesses properly as soon as possible. Here is a step-by-step guide to follow if one of your employees receives an injury in the workplace.
Step 1: File a First Report
In Vermont, you should report any injury, or an employee’s absence from work due to their condition, immediately on noticing or being informed of the injury.
Injuries that only require first-aid may not count. You should still report first-aid-only injury claims to the Vermont Department of Labor or your insurance provider. An investigation can then happen to accept or deny your Workers’ Compensation claim.
Step 2: Direct Your Employee to a Company Doctor
If you have a company doctor, be sure to direct your employee to them for their first visit. Your injured employee may file a Form 8 Change of Health Care Provider to switch doctors as they see fit.
Step 3: Slowly Return the Injured Employee to Work
Once the injured employee gains work capacity again, you should work with them to make a plan to return. The Vermont Department of Labor has provided a guide on Returning and Injured Employee to Work for more information.
Step 4: Help Avoid Withholding Wages
The Vermont Department of Labor prohibits employers from withholding wages for the time it may take their injured employees to attend medical appointments. At the same time, it encourages injured employees to schedule appointments with appointed doctors outside of their shifts, especially if they work part-time.
How Much Does Vermont Workers’ Compensation Cost?
Your Vermont Workers’ Compensation rate can depend on several factors, like the following.
- Your company’s industry: Some businesses face more risk than others, especially when dangerous tools are involved. More risk might require financial compensation that matches the danger the workers face.
- Number of workers: Workers’ Compensation insurance may adjust according to the number of employees in a company. This way, it can help ensure that workers have a financial safety net in case things go awry.
- Experience rating: This factor is an adjustment that can involve the number and severity of work injuries your employees may experience. Higher rates may have premium surcharges, while lower-than-average injury costs may grant premium reductions.
Let our experts assess your circumstances to help determine how much you could pay for Workers’ Compensation insurance.
Get Vermont Workers’ Compensation Insurance From PolicySweet
Companies in Vermont can receive the benefits of Workers’ Compensation with a policy. At PolicySweet, we offer Vermont Workers’ Compensation insurance policies that can help protect your company against workplace accidents. Get a quote today!
Please Note: State-specific information is subject to change at any time. Always consult with your state’s official information and resources for the most accurate information.