Alaska Worker's Compensation Benefits
By Aaron Larson
Law Offices of Aaron Larson
July, 2003
Important Notice: The following overview of Alaska's worker's compensation (workmans comp) benefits is presented on an as-is basis. This information is believed accurate as of the date of authorship, but is not intended to provide a complete analysis of available benefits and may not reflect subsequent changes in the law. For a full review of Alaska's worker's compensation law, or for a determination of how the law applies to a specific worker, please consult a worker's compensation attorney licensed to practice in the state of Alaska.
Contents
- Introduction
- Special Employment Situations
- Medical Benefits & Choice of Physician
- Disability Benefits Provided
- Death Benefits Provided
- Limits on Attorney Fees
Introduction
Alaska's system of worker's compensation (workman's comp) is compulsory, meaning that employers are required to provide worker's compensation insurance for their employees. Worker's compensation insurance may be provided through a private insurance carrier, or employers may self-insure. Waivers may be permitted.
Special Employment Situations
The state worker's compensation act applies to agricultural workers, except those employed on a part-time basis. Domestic workers are covered, except part-time babysitters, cleaning persons, harvest help, and similar part-time or transient help. Full medical benefits are provided to employees entitled to worker's compensation benefits, with no time or monetary limits.
Choice of Physician
Initial choice of physician is made by the employee.
Disability Benefits Provided
Payments are made for temporary total disability (TTD) in an amount determined by a percentage of the worker's wage, subject to a weekly maximum payment amount.
Payments continue for the duration of the disability until the date of medical stability. Benefits are subject to offsets for Social Security benefits. Payments are made for permanent total disability (PTD) based upon a percentage of the worker's wage, subject to a weekly maximum payment amount. Payments for PTD continue for the duration of the disability. Benefits are subject to reduction by Social Security and by any previously awarded PPD benefits.
A lump sum benefit for permanent partial disability may be available, unless the employee is enrolled in a vocational rehabilitation program.
Benefits may be available for permanent disfigurement about the head or face, including injury to or loss of teeth.
Physical and vocational rehabilitation benefits are available.
Within Within certain constraints and filing deadlines, occupational hearing losses are compensable.
Death Benefits Provided
Death benefits are payable to an employee's surviving spouse, or spouse and children, based upon a percentage of the employee's wages, subject to a cap. A burial allowance is available.
Limits on Attorney Fees
Pursuant to statute, attorney fees are approved by the state worker's compensation agency, with the attorney to receive at least 25% of of the first $1,000, and 10% of the balance. In certain cases, the attorney fee may be added to the award.
Copyright © 2003-2011 Aaron Larson. All rights reserved. No portion of this article may be reproduced without the express written permission of the copyright holder. If you believe you may lawfully use a quotation, excerpt or paraphrase of this article under the Fair Use exception to copyright law, except as otherwise authorized by the author of the article, you must cite this article as a source for your work and include a link back to the original article from any online materials that incorporate or are derived from the content of this article.