Do I Lose Workers’ Comp if I Quit My Job?
Workers’ compensation offers wage replacement and medical benefit coverage to workers who have suffered a job-related injury, illness, or death. But what happens to workers’ comp benefits if you quit your job? Here’s what you need to know.
Eligibility Considerations
Before you can know if you lose your workers’ comp benefits if you quit your job, you must first make sure that you are eligible for the benefits in the first place. To receive coverage, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Suffering from an injury or illness that was caused by your job or job environment
- The injury or illness must require medical attention
- Your injury or illness must have occurred in the course of your employment
If you do not meet these criteria, you cannot file for workers’ comp benefits, regardless of whether you have quit or stay at your current job.
Impact of Quitting on Eligibility for Workers’ Comp
If you are already receiving workers’ comp benefits and then quit your job, this will not automatically disqualify you from being eligible for future benefits. However, if you leave voluntarily and not due to a disability caused by your job, you may be ineligible for any additional benefits after you have quit.
It is important to note that the circumstances and laws surrounding workers’ compensation coverage vary by state. Because of this, it is best to speak to a lawyer to ensure that you know your rights and any potential changes to your coverages when you quit your job.
Filing Paperwork After You Quit
If you are quitting your job due to a job-related disability or illness, you will generally still be able to file for workers’ comp. However, you may need to file extra paperwork in order to qualify for future payments. In most states, this will include a “Schedule of Injury” form, which is essentially a medical document that outlines any impairment, disability, or residual suffering resulting from the incident.
It is also important to note that you may need to continue to pay for any medical treatments out of pocket after you have quit your job. You may be able to recover some of these costs through your workers’ compensation claim, but this will also depend on the specific laws in your state.
Conclusion
In most cases, quitting your job will not disqualify you from receiving workers’ comp benefits. However, you may be required to file additional paperwork or continue to pay for medical treatments out of pocket. It is always important to speak to a lawyer or other professional to understand your rights and the laws in your state.