September 11, 2025 | Workers' compensation

Going to work for many of us is almost a mundane task. We think nothing of arriving at our work places, going through our day to day tasks and clocking out. However, this all changes when an accident occurs and we are injured at work. A workplace injury affects not only your health but can also influence your financial stability. Fortunately, the law in Nebraska provides injured workers with a financial cushion through workers’ compensation.

What is Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

Nebraska‘s Workers’ Compensation Act requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance provides coverage for employees that are injured on the job or that suffer an occupational disease arising from their employment. It is important to note that the worker’s compensation system is a no-fault system. This means that employees can receive benefits regardless of who caused the accident. They simply need to show that it happened in the course of employment. The system not only benefits employees but also employers. It protects employers from being sued by injured workers.

What is a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

When a worker is injured at work or suffers an occupation disease related to their work activities, they can file a workers’ compensation claim. This claim is the formal process through which injured workers can receive benefits from their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance.

Workers are entitled to various benefits under workers’ compensation. These include:

• Medical care

Workers’ compensation provides coverage for all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to the workplace injury or illness. This includes:

• Doctors’ visits and specialist appointments
• Hospital stays
• Surgery
• Prescription medications
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation
• Medical equipment
• Mileage reimbursement for traveling to medical appointments

Workers’ compensation provides workers with a financial cushion so they don’t pay out of pocket for treatment tied to their work injury.

• Wage replacement

Workers’ compensation provides partial wage replacement for injured workers. Nebraska law provides limits on the maximum that can be paid as average weekly wage compensation. The payments continue until the injured worker can return to work or until their doctor determines they have reached maximum medical improvement.

• Permanent disability benefits

These benefits are available to workers whose injuries leave them with lasting limitations even after treatment. Workers may qualify for permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits or permanent total disability (PTD) benefits. The amount awarded will depend on the nature of the worker’s impairment and their ability to return to work or other gainful employment.

• Vocational rehabilitation

There are cases where the injured worker is unable to return to their previous job. In such cases, workers’ compensation benefits may be provided for vocational rehabilitation. This may include coverage to access services such as:

• Job retraining
• Career counseling
• Educational training to transition to a new field
• Job placement services to find work more suited to their physical abilities

• Death benefits

In the unfortunate instance that the injured worker dies as a result of their injuries or occupational disease, the surviving family of the deceased may seek death benefits through a workers’ compensation claim. These benefits provide the surviving dependents with weekly wage replacement as well as coverage for reasonable funeral and burial expenses.

What You Need to Know about Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim

• Report your injury immediately

It is important that you notify your employer about your injury as soon as possible after the accident or when you discover a work-related illness. While there is no set deadline in Nebraska for reporting workplace injuries, it is encouraged that you do so within 48 hours of the incident. This will leave little room for insurance companies to raise questions about the cause of your injury. Waiting for too long to report the injury or illness will only complicate the claims process.

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible

It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after the injury. This is not only important for your health but also for medical records. These medical records will become critical evidence in your claim. A delay in seeking medical attention will give insurance companies the opportunity to raise questions about your claim.

• Document everything

Keep record of everything. This includes taking photos of your injury, the scene of the accident, receipts for medical services, receipts for transportation to medical appointments, communication with your employer, communication with the insurance company and more. A proper paper trail will serve to strengthen your case.

• Get legal support

Nebraska’s workers compensation laws can be complex. If your claim is denied, delayed or if benefits don’t cover your needs, an attorney can appeal on your behalf and ensure you get fair treatment.

At High & Younes Attorneys LLC, we’re committed to helping injured workers recover the benefits they are entitled to. Contact us to schedule free consultation.

Workers Comp Claims | High & Younes LLC