How workers' compensation works for you

Applies to: US W-2 employees. Workers' compensation coverage comes with being employed by Ascen. Independent contractors are not covered by it and carry their own insurance instead — see Insurance requirements for independent contractors. What the coverage actually pays for varies by your work location.

Summary: Workers' compensation is insurance that covers you if you're injured or become ill because of your job. Ascen provides it at no cost to you — it can pay for your work-related medical care and, in some cases, replace part of your wages while you recover. The exact benefits are set by each state.

What workers' compensation is

Workers' compensation ("workers' comp") is a type of insurance that protects you if you get hurt or sick because of your work. If your injury or illness is job-related, workers' comp is designed to take care of the costs so you can focus on recovering.

Ascen provides workers' compensation coverage for you at no cost. You don't pay premiums for it, and it doesn't come out of your paycheck.

What it can cover

Coverage varies by state, but workers' compensation generally helps with things like:

• Medical care for your work-related injury or illness — doctor visits, hospital treatment, and related costs.

• Prescriptions related to your treatment.

• Wage replacement — if your injury keeps you out of work beyond a certain point, workers' comp may pay a portion of your lost wages ("lost time" or "temporary disability" benefits).

• Ongoing or specialist care when a provider says it's needed for your recovery.

You typically don't pay out of pocket for approved, work-related medical treatment.

What it covers you for

Workers' comp applies to injuries and illnesses that arise out of and in the course of your work — for example, a strain from lifting, a slip-and-fall on the job, a cut from equipment, or a repetitive-motion injury. If you're unsure whether something qualifies, report it anyway and let Ascen help you figure it out.

How the process works, briefly

1. You report the injury to your on-site manager and to Ascen as soon as it happens. (See What to do if you're injured at work.)

2. You get care — you can call the free 24/7 nurse hotline at 1-888-485-2687 for guidance, and Ascen will help direct you to an appropriate clinic if you need treatment.

3. A claim is opened with the workers' compensation insurance so your care is covered.

4. You share your work status — after a clinic visit, you send Ascen the provider's note about what you can do and any restrictions.

5. You stay in contact with Ascen through your recovery and let us know when you're cleared to return to work.

You'll be given a way to reach the claims contact who can answer questions specific to your case.

Returning to work

Most people recover and return to work, sometimes with temporary restrictions (for example, no heavy lifting for a period of time). Ascen works with your worksite to see whether they can accommodate any restrictions your provider gives you.

The timeline for returning to work — and the point at which lost-wage benefits begin — varies by state and by your assignment location. Ascen will explain what applies in your situation.

Because it's state-administered

Workers' compensation is run by each U.S. state, so the specific benefits, deadlines, and rules depend on where you work. A few states run their program directly through a state fund rather than a private insurer; if you work in one of those states, your care follows a state-specific process, and Ascen will guide you through it.

For a general overview of how workers' comp works, see the U.S. Department of Labor: Workers' Compensation (DOL).

Your rights as a worker

You have the right to report a work injury and to receive the benefits you're entitled to without retaliation. OSHA has a plain-language summary of worker rights and protections: Workers' Rights (OSHA).

Related articles: What to do if you're injured at work • Reporting a workplace injury or safety incident