The Utah Department of insurance establishes workers’ compensation premium rates in Utah. The introductory rates are transferred into an account to cover employees who experience certain occupational risks, and each employer claims a history of work-related injuries and illnesses.
If you are an employer in Utah, there are essential things you need to know about the state’s workers’ compensation that pertain to your businesses and the safety of your employees. Below we look at how it works and what employers need to know.
Eligibility for Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Eligibility of the compensation to the employees by the Utah workers comp starts when the employee begins to work with their employer. The employees have the right to receive workers’ compensation benefits for on-job injuries and illnesses even if they have only worked on the job for a short period or only have worked on a part-time basis.
Utah workers comp does not provide coverage for injuries maliciously caused by an individual knowingly. Also, the insurance providers can deny disability compensation for injuries and illnesses resulting from alcohol or substance abuse. Failure to follow and adhere to the safety rules can lead to the reduction of disability compensation benefits.
The Utah workers’ compensation severely punishments those illegally obtaining the reward. A fraudulent claim for compensation benefits is considered a crime. Employees found wanting fraud in receiving the workers’ benefits pay heavy fines.
Work Injury or Illness Reporting
The Utah Workers’ compensation stipulates that an employee should report a work-related injury or illness to the authorized individual once they have recognized the presence of the Injury or illness. Moreover, it is the responsibility of the employee to report the Injury to the medical doctor, manager, or any person authorized to receive the injury report.
However, once the worker is limited in reporting the Injury directly, his next of kin can do it on his behalf. If the employee injured or suffering from a work-related illness fails to make a report within the documented days, they are ineligible from getting the workers’ compensation benefits.
Facts About the Utah workers comp that an Employer Should Know
Every employer in Utah must provide workers’ compensation coverage for all their employees. However, certain employers in Utah are excluded from workers’ compensation insurance, including agricultural workers, real estate brokers, sole proprietors, partners, and individuals from limited liability companies.
The Utah workers comp does not prohibit employers from dismissing injured employees if they can no longer perform their duties resulting from a work-related injury or illness. Also, if the employee cannot return to work to do the same tasks, the employer is not required to offer the worker a new position.
Suppose the worker sustains permanent partial disabilities on the job site that prohibit him from completing the similar type of work they were previously doing before the worker’s incident. In that case, they are allowed to apply for rehabilitation services.
Conclusion
If you are a business owner starting in Utah, you can learn more about the Utah workers comp by visiting our website or consulting our insurance provider. Also, remember that the workers’ compensation laws are subject to change regularly; thus, research and consult a trusted advisor.
