Workers' compensation provides income and medical benefits for most workers who are injured or become sick because of their jobs. Death benefits are provided to surviving spouses and dependent children of workers who are killed on the job.
Most workers are covered through their state law or through separate laws for federal employees, railroad workers, seafarers, longshoremen and shipyard workers.
The AFL-CIO, especially through its state organizations, fights to protect and improve workers' compensation laws. This battle brings together workers, union and nonunion, with advocates for people with disabilities to work for better safety and health laws, to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses and to ensure that those who suffer because of their jobs have adequate medical care and income.
This site is a valuable source of information about the benefits available through workers' compensation in each state. The AFL-CIO periodically updates the following resources:
Workers' Compensation Notes
This bimonthly newsletter focuses on issues and developments in workers' compensation that are of interest to working people. Contact the AFL-CIO's Safety Health Department further information, at 202-637-5207, by fax at 202-508-6978 or by e-mail at oshmail@aflcio.org.
State and Federal Smallpox Compensation
In April 2003, Congress appropriated $105 million for states to run the Smallpox Vaccination Program and $42 million for the smallpox compensation program, which covers first responders vaccinated between Jan. 24, 2003–Feb. 24, 2004. It also requires workers receive education and information about the dangers associated with the vaccine, a medical screening and follow-up medical monitoring.
Workers' Compensation and Terrorism
The insurance industry persuaded the White House and Congress to enact a federal terrorism program in 2002 that requires the federal government to pay 90 percent of the cost of an attack by foreign terrorists after losses are greater than $10 billion, up to a total of $100 billion. The government will pay a smaller amount for losses less than $10 billion. Whatever its merits, the plan does nothing to meet the needs of first responders.
Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program
In 2000, DOE workers won compensation for certain occupational diseases in the form of The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000. The law provides that workers in the nation's nuclear weapons complex are be eligible for $150,000 in compensation and medical benefits for their occupational illnesses. The legislation covers Department of Energy contractor employees and the employees of certain vendors who are suffering from chronic beryllium disease, specified cancers from exposure to radiation and chronic silicosis from digging tunnels in Nevada and Alaska for testing purposes. The bill also increases benefits and provides medical coverage for sick uranium miners and millers who are covered under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).
State Workers' Compensation Trends
In 2002, all property and casualty insurers were faced with the need to increase reserves to meet anticipated claims—and many workers'compensation insurers were forced into bankruptcy.
Workers' Comp. Under State Laws, Jan. 1, 2003 (PDF)
This chart, published by the AFL-CIO, shows maximum benefits available, by state, for different benefit categories: Permanent Total, Temporary Total, Permanent Partial and Death benefits and is updated annually.
Workers' Compensation Comparisons Table(PDF)
This chart, prepared for the annual AFL-CIO publication "Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect," presents comparative information on how the workers' compensation systems in the individual states treat injured workers. It includes information on choices of doctor, benefit levels, limitations/caps on compensation, the availability of a state fund and profits by commercial insurers.
Links to Safety and Health (Workers' Compensation) Internet Sites
For more information on workers' compensation, including state compensation programs.
