How exactly does Workmens Comp work? Do you have to be hospitalized or go to a doctor- Or can it be an obvious injury that is just going to take a little time to heal? Do you have to be off so long before it kicks in? Are you guaranteed your job back if off for awhile? Any pros or cons to this system?
No, Im not thinking about a claim, I am self employed. I just have a gripe about it and want to hear some facts first.

This goes without saying, but you must be hurt while working or at work. You definitely have to go to your doctor. Most I've seen they've gone to the ER as soon as the injury occurs. And then follow-ups with other specialists, PCP, etc etc.

The Dr will make the determination on how long it is going to take to heal.

I don't think there's any specific amount of time you have to be off before it kicks in.

I do think you are guaranteed your job back as long as you can perform your duties.

Pro's are it's a good thing because an employer can't decide after you get hurt that they are just going to randomly fire you for not being at work.

Con's.. There are folks that have learned to work the system.

Pro... There are ways to get rid of people who are working the system.

I am not an expert, by ANY means...

where I worked, an employee had to report the injury to their immediate supervisor, as soon as is practical, but within 24 hours. (if they were in immediate danger, of course, they would go to Emergency Room, and the paperwork would catch up later).

After the initial treatment, the employee would be referred to our employer's Panel Physician list, if they wanted it to be "covered" by WC. If they chose to go "off list", they could be held liable for cost of treatment, co-pays, etc.

Doctors determine restrictions (bending, lifting, standing, whatever). Employer evaluates those restrictions and determines whether the employee can do their job, with or without modifications. Regular medical updates are required.

Friend of mine was a roofer for 20 years.
He then worked his way through school and
joined a law firm.
Once in a while we would river shore fish and bs.
He did lots of work in comp cases.
Most expensive was logging and tree work.
Then roofing and trades.
Biggest thing learned was, we'd been fed enough
compost to start a shroom farm.

"You are fired before you hit the ground" and
"Oh it's his first day here is why no hours claimed"
and the like is all bs.
These things get investigated and if no comp,
Everyone involved gets assets liquidated until debt is settled.
If debt remains the state picks it up.

Ohio rate was much cheaper, and those guys could bid our work
at a better profit margin. "Peeved"

All secondhand info from a couple river fishing bums.

My problem with it was getting hurt for 1-3 days before I could walk/run again at my job (logging). A doctor would have had a person off 2 weeks or better for most any stituation I would guess but I was stubborn and thought I would lose my job. I was the feller and the skidder operator was the boss, hes not that loyal that he is going to wait any kind of time for any doctor BS. I was stupid back then and thought I was going to lose my job and be declared a comp case so I never got doctors attention and went back(still hurting) but as soon as I could maybe at most 3 days later. My point is......All that money got paid in and Im still butthurt that I didnt get my wages for the 1-3 days laid up.....So, how long do you have to be down I guess is the question???? That was a ton of money paid in THAT I COULD HAVE HAD.

I asked the office girl.
Only a comp lawyer knows for sure.
What boss says, and what law is, can be two different stories.
Heal up man.

Edit. If you are SE you are not going to get it.
Even if you pay it on employees.
Again, only the lawyer knows for sure.
1 messed up system when the
movers and shakers are the ones penalized.

Your gripe explained please
I /you only want to work for those guys professional enough to have their insurance squared away.
People don't understand really how much per hour my employer pays In. For every hour on the job I am
That is added to my pay and his profit to the customer.
Now depending on what I am doing such as on a roof or painting inside the rates change
Workman's compensation was good to me.Knocked off a roof and dislocated my shoulder and seriously torn rotator.within hour's medical and expenses were addressed.out for Almost a year out.
6 figures plus in cost I am sure. Put me back together,sure never the same but that's life.no lawsuit's wanted,an accident that's all, fix me.i believe beings in a small town, and not milking an injury or sueing and getting back to work made me more hire able than the unknown.
Without workman's compensation I could of ended up a cripple.again your gripe
Besides cost of

Work Comp covers not only injuries, but can also cover a worker for an illness they contracted at work.
WC pays for lost wages, medical expenses, funeral expenses, etc.
In most cases, you would get your job back. Sometimes you could be asked to work part time or as you are able.

One con is that claims raise your modification factor causing your rate to go up.
One pro is that having no claims lowers your modification factor causing your rate to go down each year that you are claims free.

I know of a few people who will try to milk the WC policy until the maximum benefit is paid. Then they are miraculously cured of their malady. Some are not completely cured once the maximum benefit is paid. So, they file for SS and if you live in MN you get it plus welfare benefits and live off hard working taxpayers.

Don't get me wrong. There are plenty of people who legitimately are deserving to be getting state and federal help. But, they don't want it. They would rather work.

I got hit on the head once at work went to the ER and ended up being concussed. I think it was on a Wednesday so they said take the rest of week off and go back the following Monday. I didn't get paid for the 2 days off and was told you had to to miss more than a week (if I recall correctly) to be reimbursed. Not sure if that was accurate and I didn't pursue it be remember being a ticked off. As stated you have to go to Dr's on their list and file all paperwork to a "T".

In Pa, you have to be off for a certain period of time to collect benefits. I’m going on memory, but I think you got nothing for the first 10 days. Then if you were off 11 days, you got compensated for the first 10 days.

One interesting thing about Pa Workmen’s Comp laws…it was a No Fault law. Meaning that an employee can’t sue there employer for being injured, other than covering for injuries ( other than in cases of willful gross negligence ) …..at the same time, employers can’t deny benefits to employees who get hurt even if they are violating policies and rules. For example…an employer rule required safety glasses or safety harnesses, but an employee injures himself when not wearing PPEs.

OK, I think my question was answered. My employer surely couldnt wait for me and I would be replaced if I was off for 10 days or more-no biggie I was a timber tramp and worked for a lot of different guys and had steady work but...... Thats total BS I figure if I lost 3 hours of work I should be reimbursed. Happened so many times and THEY got the money, not me. Thanks merica.....