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The Global Insight

Who covers an employee injured on the job?

Author

Christopher Ramos

Updated on April 05, 2026

California workers’ compensation system
In California, workplace injuries are covered by the California workers’ compensation system. Employers must pay into this system, which functions like an insurance program. If an employee is hurt on the job, workers’ compensation may provide benefits such as medical treatment and payment for lost wages.

What insurance protects workers who are injured on the job?

‘ compensation insurance
What Is Workers’ Compensation? Workers’ compensation insurance helps protect businesses and their employees from financial loss when an employee is hurt on the job or gets sick from a work-related cause. Workers’ compensation is also known as workman’s comp, workman’s compensation, and workers’ comp.

What types of injuries are covered by workers compensation?

7 Common Workers Compensation Claim Injuries

  • Lacerations. Deep cuts or tears in skin or flesh.
  • Sprains and strains. Sprains are stretched or torn ligaments, while strains are stretched or torn muscles and tendons.
  • Contusions.
  • Burns.
  • Eye Injuries.
  • Fractures.
  • Cumulative or Continuous Trauma.

    What happens if I get injured while working?

    If you are an employee* who is injured because of your work you have the right to make a workers’ compensation claim to cover your medical costs and lost wages. Your employer cannot force you to take paid or unpaid leave instead of lodging a workers compensation claim.

    What 4 types of issues are not covered by workers compensation?

    Bad news: which injuries aren’t covered by workers comp?

    • The employee was intoxicated or under the influence of drugs when the injury occurred;
    • Self-inflicted injuries (including those sustained in a fistfight between coworkers, if the injured was the one who started the fight);

    Can a work related injury be covered under workers’compensation?

    Emotional or mental injuries due to work stress could also be considered a work-related injury covered under workers’ compensation. Workplace injuries can take a variety of different forms, and serious injuries can mean that an employee may experience lasting pain and damage.

    What to do if your employer does not have workers’compensation?

    If your employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance, your state likely has a fund out of which they will pay for your workers’ compensation benefits. You may also be able to sue for negligence if an employer required to do so does not carry workers compensation insurance.

    What should I do if I am injured at work?

    What should I do if I am injured at work? The most important thing for employees to know is that any time you are injured on the job, you should report the injury immediately to a supervisor, in writing if possible. Some states require that notice to the employer be made in writing, while others allow a verbal notice.

    What does it mean to be joint employer in workers’comp?

    Workers’ Compensation, in the presence of a temporary employment relationship, becomes an area in which you and the temporary agency have “joint employer” status under several Workers’ Compensation employment laws. This reasoning has to do with the potential for employment abuses in this triangular relationship situation.