What are the two requirements to receive workers' compensation?

What are the two requirements to receive workers' compensation?

• A. Existence of an employment relationship and an accidental injury that occurred on the job
• B. Proof of negligence and the accident occurring during work hours
• C. Presence of a contract and prior workplace accidents
• D. Filing a claim and employer's approval

Answer: (A)

The two primary requirements to receive workers' compensation are the existence of an employment relationship and an accidental injury that occurred on the job. This framework ensures that the workers' compensation system effectively protects employees who suffer injuries in the course of their employment, providing them with benefits for medical expenses and lost wages without the need to prove fault or negligence on the part of the employer. Establishing an employment relationship is crucial because only individuals who are employees can claim workers' compensation benefits. This relationship ensures that the employer has a responsibility to provide a safe working environment and is liable for injuries that occur within the scope of that relationship. Additionally, the requirement of an accidental injury occurring on the job emphasizes that the injury must be work-related and not a result of circumstances outside of the work environment or caused by the employee’s own negligence. The other options do not align with the foundational principles of workers' compensation. For instance, proof of negligence is not needed since the system is designed to provide coverage without establishing fault. Similarly, requiring a contract or prior workplace accidents is not relevant to initiating a claim, nor is employer approval a prerequisite, as the workers' compensation system is designed to be a no-fault system that automatically covers qualifying employees.

The two primary requirements to receive workers' compensation are the existence of an employment relationship and an accidental injury that occurred on the job. This framework ensures that the workers' compensation system effectively protects employees who suffer injuries in the course of their employment, providing them with benefits for medical expenses and lost wages without the need to prove fault or negligence on the part of the employer.

Establishing an employment relationship is crucial because only individuals who are employees can claim workers' compensation benefits. This relationship ensures that the employer has a responsibility to provide a safe working environment and is liable for injuries that occur within the scope of that relationship. Additionally, the requirement of an accidental injury occurring on the job emphasizes that the injury must be work-related and not a result of circumstances outside of the work environment or caused by the employee’s own negligence.

The other options do not align with the foundational principles of workers' compensation. For instance, proof of negligence is not needed since the system is designed to provide coverage without establishing fault. Similarly, requiring a contract or prior workplace accidents is not relevant to initiating a claim, nor is employer approval a prerequisite, as the workers' compensation system is designed to be a no-fault system that automatically covers qualifying employees.