RedVector JCOM-00120

Understanding Workers' Compensation for Employees

Understanding Workers' Compensation for Employees

1 hr. Online Course

Level: Intermediate

Item#: JCOM-00120

SME: Dan Hannan

Did you know that before workers' compensation laws existed, injured employees had to sue their employers and prove fault to receive any help—a process most workers lost? This comprehensive course explores the evolution of the U.S. workers' compensation system from its origins following the tragic 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire to today's structured no-fault coverage that protects both employees and employers. You'll learn essential concepts including compensability criteria, insurance acquisition methods, employee responsibilities for injury reporting and workplace safety, and the types of benefits available during recovery and return-to-work processes. The course concludes with detailed coverage of Florida-specific workers' compensation laws, including employer obligations, coverage requirements, safety program mandates, and fraud prevention measures that ensure compliance with state regulations.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
  • Explain the origins and evolution of the U.S. workers’ compensation system and its foundational principles.
  • List the various insurance acquisition methods and evaluate how risk factors influence workers’ compensation premiums.
  • Recall the criteria that determine whether a workplace injury or illness qualifies for compensation under workers’ comp laws.
  • Explain how physical demands assessments and pre-hire screenings contribute to safer hiring practices.
  • Recall employee responsibilities in injury prevention, reporting, and compliance with workplace safety policies.
  • List the types of benefits and expenses covered under workers’ compensation and the process for returning to work.
  • State triage and early intervention strategies to reduce injury severity and avoid unnecessary claims.
  • Explain how FMLA and ADA protections interact with workers’ compensation in cases of extended or permanent disability.
  • Recall Florida-specific workers’ compensation laws, including employer obligations, coverage requirements, and fraud prevention. 
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT: Dan Hannan
Dan Hannan is an Environmental, Health and Safety professional of 28 years. Dan is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), a designation awarded through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, as well as an OSHA-Authorized Outreach Trainer. Dan’s professional safety career began in 1990 in the public sector working for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Over the last 28 years Dan has provided professional EHS services to the oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, and ethanol industries. His work has included project safety management, compliance auditing, risk assessment, training and program development.