Avoiding the Cracks: A Guide to the Workers Compensation System

This is the first book primarily directed toward assisting injured employees in gaining an understanding of the workers' compensation system, and in helping themselves and their families through the process of recovering from a work-related injury. By means of actual cases, readers are guided in both identification and avoidance of the risks and hazards of the system in order to help them achieve successful resolutions. The book also provides assistance to other involved parties in the workers' compensation system, such as medical professionals, employers, and insurance personnel, so that a positive outcome may be reached for all concerned.

This guide begins with actual cases, and includes the history and development of the workers' compensation system, and a description of the conspicuous features of state laws. The book also gives the perspectives of medical and rehabilitation providers, insurance companies, and the employers. A self-help section is also included for injured workers in order to evaluate their situations and to analyze their options. The book also contains supplemental information regarding federal and state workers' compensation laws, associations that provide assistance, and information on specific injuries. This book is a valuable source for injured workers and their families. It addresses pertinent issues in workers' compensation cases, and challenges some generally accepted views. It is also helpful and informative to individuals in industry such as human resource managers, safety professionals, and persons in supervisory and managerial positions. This guide offers insightful information to medical and rehabilitation professionals, students of medical systems, insurance professionals and attorneys specializing in workers' compensation, resulting in improved communication for all those involved in the workers' compensation system.