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Workers Compensation Act

While many states have their own workers compensation act, the federal government has also implemented several workers compensation acts in an effort to protect workers’ safety. The main purpose of each of these workers compensation laws (acts) is to compensate and provide medical care for:

workers who are injured while on the job
those who are made ill or disabled by conditions at their jobs, and
the surviving dependents of a worker who is killed on the job or dies from an illness incurred because of his or her job conditions

Each state and the federal government each have their own Workers Compensation Act which compensates workers who are injured during the course of their employment. Each workers compensation act is designed so that employees can receive fixed monetary compensation for their injuries without the need for legal action. The workers compensation act that is applicable to an individuals employment is dependent upon who they are employed by and the industry they are employed in.

Workers Compensation Benefits Depend on Several Factors

Each workers compensation act is designed so that employees can receive medical care and fixed monetary compensation for their injuries without the need for legal action. The workers compensation act that is applicable to an individual's employment depends on:

the state he or she is working in
who he or she is employed by
the industry that employs him or her

State Workers Compensation Acts

Most states have their own workers compensation act that details the workers compensation benefits that people employed in that state are eligible to receive. The specific laws in each state vary. Among the states that provide their own workers compensation acts and systems are:

Alabama Workers Compensation
Illinois Workers Compensation
Pennsylvania Workers Compensation
Indiana Workers Compensation
Louisiana Workers Compensation
Texas Workers Compensation
California Workers Compensation

The Federal Workers Compensation Act

The federal government has a workers compensation act (the Federal Employees' Compensation Act, or FECA) that covers all non-military personnel employed by the U.S. (federal) government. Enforcement and administration of all laws contained within the federal workers compensation act rests with the Office of Workers Compensation Programs.

There are some cases of disability and death that are not covered by a federal workers compensation act. These include cases where the employee was injured:

because of self-inflicted harm
while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or
while violating some employee policy

In cases of death, the beneficiaries of the decedent are eligible to seek compensation for the monetary damages resulting from the fatal injury.

Industry-Specific Workers Compensation Acts

The Federal Employment Liability Act (FELA) applies to injured, disabled or killed railroad workers.
The Merchant Marine Act/Jones Act is a federal workers compensation act for "seapersons."
The Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act is for employees who become disabled from injuries that occur on the navigable waters of the U.S. or in adjoining areas that are for used for loading/unloading, building, or repairing a vessel. The LHWCA also provides benefits for such employees' dependents after a work-related death.
The Black Lung Benefits Workers Compensation Act protects workers who are injured in the mining industry.
The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Workers Compensation Act provides protection to employees of the Department of Energy who are killed or injured during the course of their employment.

Types of Federal Workers Compensation Act

There are a few types of federal workers compensation act that cover employees in particular industries. The Federal Employment Liability Act is the workers compensation act that applies to injured, disabled or killed railroad workers. Given the dangers of railroad work, special protections are offered to these employees through this workers compensation act.

The Merchant Marine Act/ Jones Act is a federal workers compensation law that provides benefits to seapersons when they are injured or killed on the job. There is a similar workers compensation act called the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act. This workers compensation act provides compensation to persons who suffer an occupational disease that arises out of employment that occurs on the navigable waters of the United States or any adjoining waters.

The federal government also governs two other workers compensation acts for specific federal employees. The Black Lung Benefits workers compensation act protects workers who are injured in the mining industry. The Energy Employees Occupational Illness workers compensation act provides workers compensation protection to those persons employed by the Department of Energy who are killed or injured during the course of their employment.

Consult a Workers Compensation Attorney Today

Workers compensation law is a complex and ever-changing field. To get the most effective and knowledgeable assistance, you should speak with an experienced workers compensation attorney near you who understands the laws governing your state. A workers compensation lawyer will be able to thoroughly evaluate your case and fight to ensure you recover the compensation you are entitled to. To schedule a private consultation, please contact us today.

Each state also has their own workers compensation act that details the benefits that people employed in that state are eligible to receive. These benefits are similar to those offered by the federal government, though the specific laws in each state may vary.

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