- New Hampshire workers' compensation law protects workers injured on the job.worker/builder in construction at work image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
New Hampshire workers' compensation law ensures that an employee injured on the job is entitled to medical and cash benefits if the injury causes him to miss time from work, require medical treatment or live with a permanent injury. Workers' compensation laws vary from state to state, allthough many states have requirements and procedures similar to New Hampshire's. - New Hampshire law requires that employers have workers' compensation insurance covering every employee. Part-time employees also must be covered. Employers can purchase workers' compensation insurance from many of the commercial insurance companies in the Unitrd States.
- Employers are required to file a report to the New Hampshire Department of Labor on any work-related injuries. The injured worker may participate in the filing and must provide the insurance company and Department of Labor any additional information requested. If the insurance carrier acknowledges the injury is work-related, the insurance company pays the injured worker replacement wages for missed work and pays medical bills relating to the work injury. Wage replacement payments generally are equivalent to the worker's average post-tax earnings per week. Payments continue until the injured worker either returns to work or reaches a "medical end result," at which point further physical improvement or deterioration is unlikely. For permanent injury or disability, the severity of the injury is assessed by at least one medical examiner, and a lump-sum payment or continuing payments are made based upon the severity of the impairment and the worker's average earnings. The injured worker can choose whichever doctor or hospital he wants throughout the process. If a claim is denied, the worker may appeal to the Department of Labor, and he may hire an attorney for legal representation.
- New Hampshire employers with five or more employees must offer an injured worker his job back if the worker is declared medically fit to work within 18 months of his injury date. If the worker is limited by the injury, the employer must offer him light duty or modified work where available.
- The New Hampshire Department of Labor handles inquiries from injured workers and employers, and it also hears disputed cases involving workers' compensation law.
New Hampshire Department of Labor
95 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301
603-271-3176
labor.nh.state.us
Workers' Compensation Insurance
After a Work Injury
Reinstatement
New Hampshire Department of Labor
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