“I’ve been out of work for a while now because of my workplace accident. My wage loss checks are coming in, but I just got word from my health insurance company that my family’s health care coverage is about to expire unless I start paying 100% of the monthly premiums. There’s no way I can do that with my limited workers’ comp payments. Also, because I’m not drawing a regular paycheck, no contributions have been made to my 401(k) since before my injury. These are significant losses. Doesn’t workers’ comp have to cover them since they’re only occurring because I got hurt at work?”
Sadly, the answer is “no.” While there is no dispute that your work injury is the sole cause of these losses, workers’ compensation coverage does not extend to fringe benefits such as health coverage and retirement contributions. The insurance company is only required to cover your lost wages, your accident-related medical expenses, and certain permanent anatomical losses.