Workers Compensation

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You are entitled to receive workers compensation benefits if you injured while working or if you have become ill because of something related to your employment. Contact us if you have questions about the type of problems that qualify for benefits. Your employer is required to carry workers compensation insurance.

There are four categories of workers compensation benefits. They are medical benefits, income replacement benefits, physical impairment benefits, and disability benefits.

All medical care is covered by workers compensation, provided that the treatment is for a work-related condition. Payments should be made promptly. Contact us if your bills are not being paid.

You are entitled to receive income replacement benefits during the time that you cannot work because you are recovering from your medical problems. The rate is calculated based on a formula adopted by the Idaho Legislature. Usually, checks are issued every two weeks. Contact us and we can verify if you are receiving the correct rate of compensation.

Impairment benefits are paid based upon the permanent losses which you sustain because of your work-related condition. Impairment ratings should be given by your doctor only after you have reached your maximum medical improvement. Until then, you are entitled to receive medical care to maximize your recovery and minimize the impact your condition has on you.

Workers compensation injury is defined as any injury or disease arising out of employment. It can be physical or mental (non physical) harm. To be compensable the injury must produce disability or medical treatment more than first aid. Workers compensation benefits are usually the exclusive remedy available to the injured worker. The system is designed to compensate injured workers for disabilities that occur on the job and to provide medical treatment that is reasonable and necessary to cure or relieve the effects of an injury.


An injured worker does not have to prove anyone was at fault for causing the injury. The tradeoff for the employer is there are limited damages payments that are set forth by statute. No compensation is paid for pain and suffering and other general damages like those in personal injury lawsuits. However, wages are paid while the injured worker is off work, and in some instances, additional permanent compensation or job retraining are available.

Worker’s Compensation guarantees prompt, automatic benefits to workers injured on the job. Before workers’ compensation, injured workers had to sue their employers to recover medical costs and lost wages. Lawsuits took months and sometimes years. Juries and judges had to decide who was at fault and how much, if anything, would be paid. Too often, the injured worker got nothing. It was costly, time consuming and unfair. Today, workers’ compensation is faster and fairer. If you cannot work because of a job injury, workers’ compensation pays your medical bills and provides money to help replace your lost income until you can return to work. At Dredge Miller Koontz PLLC we protect those rights and make sure you’re fully compensated not only for your injuries, but also your ability to return to work. Many times people don’t fully realize the extent of their injuries or the time it may take to fully recover. Call us today for more information and a free consultation. Call Dredge Miller Koontz PLLC today for a FREE CONSULTATION