Workers Compensation and Short-Term Employment

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Get Help From our Michigan Workers’ Comp Lawyers Today
You’re not alone. Our Michigan workers’ comp lawyers have been called the best in the state, and we pride ourselves on providing you with care, trust, and responsiveness.

Michigan lawyer explains how short-term or temporary employees are covered under workers compensation and how to calculate wage loss benefits after an injury.

We frequently see individuals who were hurt on the job within a few days of starting their employment.  These short-term or temporary employees are always concerned about whether they are covered under workers compensation.

It does not matter how long you have worked for an employer to get workers compensation benefits.  You are entitled to wage loss, medical treatment, and vocational rehabilitation regardless of the length of employment.  You could work less than an hour and still be entitled to benefits so long as you were hurt on-the-job.

Many of these short-term or temporary employees are afraid to report an injury because they think employers will hold it against them. The truth is that your employer can usually find any reason to fire you.  In order to protect your legal right to workers compensation, you should promptly report any injury and make a claim for benefits.

If you are fired for claiming workers compensation benefits, you could have a wrongful termination case against your employer.

Wage loss benefits for short-term employees

Wage loss benefits are paid on a weekly basis and will be based upon your average weekly wage.   The amount you receive will be approximately 80% of your after-tax average weekly wage.

The average weekly wage is normally calculated by taking the highest 39 weeks of the 52 weeks before an injury.  When you have worked for less than 39 weeks, in  a short-term or temporary employment situation, you divide the total number of weeks worked by the total wages earned.

Overtime and fringe benefits should be included in the average weekly wage calculation. Employers and insurance companies will often omit these items hoping that you won’t notice or understand the law.

An example of how the wage loss calculation works

Mr. Smith was injured at work during his second week of employment.  He was hired at a salary of $500.00 per week but because of overtime his first week was paid $800.00.  His average weekly wage would be $800.00 because that is what he actually earned.  Mr. Smith would receive 80% of his after-tax average weekly wage or approximately $473.78 per week.  This income would be tax free.

Stand up for your legal rights.  Call (855) 221-2667 for a free consultation with one of our experienced workers compensation attorneys. There is no fee unless workers compensation benefits are recovered for you.

Alex Berman is the founder of the law firm. He’s been representing injured and disabled workers exclusively for more than 35 years.  Alex has helped countless people obtain workers compensation benefits and never charges a fee to evaluate a case.

Related information:

FAQs about workers compensation to help protect you

Have your workers compensation benefits been denied or terminated?

Injured at work? Advice from a Michigan workers comp lawyer

 – Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, by Earls37a.

05/01/2011
Author Bio Jeffrey Kaufman

Author
Jeffrey E. Kaufman
Michigan Workers Comp Attorney

Jeffrey E. Kaufman has extensive experience in workers compensation cases and has recovered millions of dollars in benefits for his clients. He believes all injured workers deserve to be on equal footing with insurance companies and employers, and fights tenaciously so their rights are secured and protected.


“Jeff also helped me with getting my Blue Cross bills paid. I would absolutely recommend him and the whole firm. Jeff and the firm did everything they were supposed to do for me and my case.”
Ricardo Perfetto

Hundreds of 5-Star Reviews

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Get Help From our Michigan Workers’ Comp Lawyers Today

You’re not alone. Our Michigan workers’ comp lawyers have been called the best in the state, and our clients love how they’re treated with care, respect, and responsiveness. We will give you the time you need, we will explain your legal rights, and we will always treat you with respect.

Our workers’ compensation and Social Security disability lawyers always put your needs first. Get to know your legal team.

Our attorneys post regularly about common issues related to workers’ comp, including common injuries, settlement calculations, laws, and more.

Injured? It’s Time to Get Some Answers

Don’t let the insurance adjuster push you around. Request your free consultation today.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Our attorneys post regularly about common issues related to workers’ comp, including common injuries, settlement calculations, laws, and more.

Our workers’ compensation and Social Security disability lawyers always put your needs first. Get to know your legal team.