Worker's Compensation Laws for the State of Michigan

All employers are required to provide some type of accident insurance.

Most people do not expect to be injured while they are on the job, however, if you are hurt at work it is important to know if and how you are covered by workers' compensation laws. While government workers are protected by federal workers' compensation laws, most emplyees' level of compensation will be determined by the state in which they live. In the state of Michigan, injured employees are protected by the Workers' Disability Compensation Act.

Workers' Compensation

Workers injured while traveling for business are also covered by the Act.

In Michigan workers' compensation laws are there to provide employees who have been injured on the job with a portion of their lost wages, as well as financial coverage for any medical or rehabilitative expenses and service. This type of law ensures that injured employees cannot be laid off due to their injuries, or incur prohibitively expensive medical costs, however, most important of all, it holds the employer accountable for any wrongdoing or negligence.

Michigan Law

Michigan's generous laws also protect employees injured as a result of horseplay.

The laws enacted by the Michigan Workers' Disability Compensation Act are administered by the state Worker Compensation Agency. The agency upholds the act as part of a no-fault guarantee system. This system allows workers to receive the compensation and benefits that they are due as a result of on the job injury, but prevents employees from suing their employers for additional legal compensation beyond what the law provides.

Injuries

Maximum weekly benefits are 90 percent of the state's average weekly salary.

The Workers' Disability Compensation Act holds employers responsible for a variety of workplace injuries. Injuries that are covered include those that occur in common areas like parking lots, those caused by machinery, and even injuries that are a result of product liability. In a case where a worker is injured because of a faulty product, the worker may sue the manufacturer of the product for damages beyond those covered by the state's workers' compensation laws.

Exceptions

While the Michigan Worker's Compensation Act is based on a no-fault premise that prevents an employee from taking certain legal action against an employer, there are times when this premise can be overridden. If an employee believes his injury is the result of willful misconduct by his employer, then he may seek additional legal compensation. Likewise, if an employer is not up to date on his insurance premium or otherwise non-compliant, the no-fault exclusion becomes null and void and the employer may be sued by the injured party.

References

• Workers' Compensation Agency: FAQ
• Business Management Daily: Michigan Workers' Disability Compensation Act; January 2007