Understanding Workers' Compensation For Trucking Companies

​When you own a trucking business, anybody can get into an accident while on the job. What’s worse is that your business could go bankrupt if you will be the one paying for medical bills. But with workers’ compensation insurance, it provides coverage for your truck drivers.

Workers’ compensation is required for many trucking companies. It covers rehabilitation costs, lost income, death benefits, and medical expenses. 

Who Needs Workers Compensation Insurance?
Since almost every state requires workers’ compensation, a trucking company should also have this type of insurance. These laws guarantee that employers must pay a certain amount for the costs of injuries and sometimes for occupational diseases. 

What Kinds Of Injuries Are Covered?
A wide range of injuries can qualify you to receive the benefits of workers’ compensation. The injuries include minor ones that may heal within a few months, to disastrous ones that result in permanent dysfunction. The benefits given depend on the severity and nature of the injury. 

When it comes to the trucking industry, the common injuries that usually occur are:

• Bone fractures
• Loss of a toe, finger, or thumb
• Bleeding, cuts, and lacerations
• leg, arm, foot, or hand amputation
• Back injuries 
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Injuries due to violent assault

Who Are Eligible For The Benefits?
Regardless if the truck driver is an independent contractor or an employee of a trucking company, the workers’ compensation insurance is likely to cover him. Whether it is caused by an assault or accident, the trucker who is injured will receive a partial income replacement. This amount can help pay for injury treatment and medical bills.  

How Long Does The Coverage Last?
The benefits of workers’ compensation insurance are available for about 500 weeks or until the truck driver can work again. The benefits may be terminated or reduced once the trucker returns to work. It also depends on the salary earned after the recovery period from the injury. 

Basically, workers’ compensation replaces the lost income. Therefore, after recovering from the injury, the benefits stop, particularly when there is an increase or restoration of wages. 

Conclusion
The trucking industry is a risky one. Make sure to protect your business and your employees with workers’ compensation insurance. 

At Black and Associates Insurance, Inc., we put our clients first by offering them policies that they can afford. Having insurance is a necessity nowadays and we're here to help you out. Learn more about our products and services by calling our agency at (509) 464-0058. You can also request a free quote by CLICKING HERE.