When an employee suffers an injury or contracts an illness due to their work environment, they may no longer be able to make money. As a result, their company may provide workers’ compensation insurance, which will help them to afford living expenses and medical care while not at work. Many wonder what happens when an intern finds themselves in the same situation. Use the following guide to learn if an intern can reap the same benefits. 

Are Interns Entitled to Workers’ Compensation?

The majority of employers are legally bound to provide workers’ compensation insurance for their interns. Luckily, it doesn’t matter if you’re in a paid or unpaid internship. However, if you’re working for a religious, charitable, or educational institution, and are not completing manual labor, your employer may not be required to provide such coverage. 

What Will It Cover?

Workers’ compensation is designed to help employees or interns who suffer injuries from an accident, or who contract an illness over time due to their on-site conditions. Whether you’re an intern or an employee, your employer will pay the insurance premiums. If your claim is successful, the policy will take care of your medical expenses. If you have a paid internship, it would also cover your lost wages. Once you accept workers’ compensation, you won’t be allowed to sue your employer for personal injury or wrongful death. In some cases, such as if your injuries are extreme, you might be better off forfeiting worker’s compensation and filing a suit.

If you were injured at an internship, reach out to Stow Garvin & Glenn for help filing your workers’ compensation claim. This Gainesville, GA, firm shares 60 years of experience between its three partners, so you can trust they’ll use their legal acumen to fight for your rights. In addition to workers’ compensation, they also cater to clients looking for Social Security disability or facing a personal injury case. To learn more about their practice areas, visit the website today. You can also call them at (770) 534-5265 to schedule your free initial consultation.