Mississippi Workers’ Compensation: What Exactly is it?

Most Mississippi workers are likely aware that if they are injured at work they are entitled to important financial benefits while they are disabled from working their regular jobs (with some exceptions). However, like most things these days, there is much misinformation about what exactly Mississippi workers’ compensation benefits are and the purpose of the Mississippi workers’ compensation system in the first place. These underlying principles about what exactly Mississippi workers’ compensation is may help injured Mississippi workers better understand the complex workers’ compensation system so that if they suffer an on-the-job injury, they can obtain the benefits to which they are entitled under Mississippi laws. Accordingly, we provide some insight here from the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission about what Mississippi workers’ compensation is, and where to start with your workers’ compensation claim.

A Statement from the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission

According to the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission, workers’ compensation “…is essentially a no-fault insurance plan mandated by State law, supervised by the Workers’ Compensation Commission and paid for entirely by employers. The Workers’ Compensation Law was enacted by the Legislature in 1948 to guarantee the payment of certain medical and wage loss benefits to persons injured on their job.” Furthermore, the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission explains, “As part of this Law, the Workers’ Compensation Commission with its office in Jackson, MS, was established to supervise and monitor claims which arise under the Law. An employer covered by the Law is required to secure the payment of workers’ compensation benefits to its employees by purchasing workers’ compensation insurance from an insurance company or by obtaining approval from the Commission to self-insure.” In sum, most injured workers in Mississippi are covered by workers’ compensation insurance, as required by Mississippi workers’ compensation laws. In addition, the employer, not the employee, is required to obtain workers’ compensation insurance. The Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission was established to handle Mississippi workers’ compensation claims, and adjudicates disputes (rather than the courts).

Where to Turn if You were Injured at Work in Mississippi

Importantly, injured Mississippi workers do not need to go through the Mississippi workers’ compensation claims process on their own. Working with an experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyer to obtain these important benefits can help increase the success of your claim. Therefore, it is always a good idea to speak with an experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyer if you are injured at work and are interested in seeking workers’ compensation benefits.

The experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyers at the law firm Lunsford Baskin & Priebe are here to help injured Mississippi workers get workers’ compensation benefits due. The experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyers at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your case and to see if they can help fight for you. They also work on a “no recovery, no fee” basis, so you do not have to worry about owing out-of-pocket lawyers’ fees for help with your case. If you were injured on the job in Mississippi, contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe today and speak to an experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyer about your rights and options for free.