Drug and Alcohol Dependence

SSI and SSDI benefits)

Implementation of Workers' Compensation Policies and Procedures

The escalation of workers' compensation claims and, by correlation, premiums, makes it vital that employers create and implement policies and procedures to effectively address disability management and comply with state and federal law. These policies and procedures should be reduced to writing for reference and to ensure their consistent application.

Black Lung Benefits Act - "Operators" and "Responsible Operators"

Under the Black Lung Benefits Act)

Rescue or Emergency Activities of Employee

When an employee acts to aid a person in an emergency situation, his actions are generally considered to be within the course of employment. When the employee's rescue efforts are in the employer's interest, there is a strong likelihood that compensation for an injury incurred in such efforts will be allowed. Additionally, if the nature of his employment places him in a position where human decency requires action, an employee may recover benefits.

Death Benefits

The surviving dependents of a deceased worker may receive workers' compensation death benefits if the worker's death arose out of and in the course of his employment. Death benefits provide weekly compensation to the dependents. In most states, the amount of total dependency benefits received is based on a percentage of the worker's average weekly wage. For partial dependency benefits, the amount received is commonly calculated as a portion of the dependent's support that was received from the worker. In addition to weekly compensation, death benefits also include a payment for the worker's burial expenses. The amount allotted for these expenses is set by the Workers' Compensation Act of each state and varies widely between the jurisdictions.