Nevada Workers Compensation: Protecting Employees and Employers
Nevada workers compensation is a state-mandated insurance program that provides medical and wage benefits to employees who have suffered work-related injuries or illnesses. It also protects employers from lawsuits that may arise from workplace injuries.
According to the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations, all employers with one or more employees are required to have workers compensation coverage. This includes full-time and part-time workers, as well as temporary and seasonal employees.
This article will provide a detailed overview of the Nevada workers compensation system, including its benefits, rules and regulations, and recent updates.
Benefits of Nevada Workers Compensation
The primary benefit of Nevada workers compensation is that it provides medical treatment and wage replacement benefits to employees who are injured or become ill on the job. Here are some of the key benefits:
Medical Treatment: Workers compensation covers medical expenses related to workplace injuries or illnesses, including doctor visits, hospital stays, and medications.
Wage Replacement: If an injury or illness causes an employee to miss work, workers compensation provides wage replacement benefits. The amount of benefits depends on the severity of the injury and the employee’s average weekly wage.
Vocational Rehabilitation: If an injury or illness leaves an employee unable to perform their previous job, workers compensation may cover the cost of vocational rehabilitation to help them re-enter the workforce.
Death Benefits: Workers compensation also provides death benefits to the dependents of employees who die as a result of a work-related injury or illness.
Rules and Regulations of Nevada Workers Compensation
The Nevada workers compensation system is governed by the Division of Industrial Relations, which sets the rules and regulations for employers and employees.
One of the key regulations is that employers are required to purchase workers compensation insurance from a private insurance carrier or the state’s monopolistic insurer, Nevada State Industrial Insurance System (SIIS).
Employers are also required to file a First Report of Injury form with their insurance carrier or SIIS within seven days of the injury. Failure to do so can result in penalties and fines.
Employees who are injured on the job are required to report the injury to their employer as soon as possible and seek medical treatment. The employer must then file a claim with their insurance carrier or SIIS.
In order to be eligible for workers compensation benefits, the injury or illness must have occurred within the course and scope of the employee’s employment. This means that the injury must have happened while the employee was performing their job duties.
Recent Updates to Nevada Workers Compensation
In June 2021, the Nevada Legislature passed Senate Bill 222, which made several changes to the workers compensation system in the state. Here are some of the key updates:
COVID-19 Presumption: The bill established a presumption that certain essential workers who contract COVID-19 did so in the course and scope of their employment. This means that these workers will be eligible for workers compensation benefits without having to prove that they contracted the virus at work.
Medical Marijuana: The bill also allows injured workers to use medical marijuana if they have a valid prescription. However, employers are not required to pay for the cost of medical marijuana.
Overutilization of Medical Services: The bill includes measures to prevent overutilization of medical services, which can drive up the cost of workers compensation claims. This includes requiring physicians to use evidence-based treatment guidelines and considering alternative treatments to reduce costs.
Independent Medical Examinations: Under the new law, insurers are required to provide notice to injured workers about their right to an independent medical examination. This gives workers the opportunity to get a second opinion on their condition before settling a claim.
Conclusion
Nevada workers compensation is an important program that provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill on the job. It also protects employers from lawsuits that may arise from workplace injuries.
Employers in Nevada should ensure that they have the appropriate workers compensation coverage and comply with the rules and regulations set forth by the Division of Industrial Relations. Employees should be aware of their rights and responsibilities under the program and report any workplace injuries or illnesses as soon as possible.
The recent updates to Nevada workers compensation, including the COVID-19 presumption and measures to prevent overutilization of medical services, show that the state is committed to improving the program and ensuring that injured workers receive the benefits they are entitled to.
Quick Guide to Workers’ Compensation in NevadaÂ
Nevada Workers’ Compensation Laws
There are multiple workers’ compensation laws located under the Nevada revised statutes.  Some of the Nevada workers’ compensation laws are referenced within this article, but the majority of information within this article about workers’ compensation insurance in Nevada is referenced from the following website under the state’s Department of Business and Industry:
Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Nevada and Exemptions
NRS 616A.110 of the state statutes refers to certain employees who are not covered by workers’ compensation insurance in Nevada.  Normally, any employer with one or more employees must provide WC under Nevada workers’ compensation laws, but this section states the following employees are exempt from coverage under workers’ compensation insurance in Nevada:
• employment related to interstate commerce entities that do not fall under NV legislative power
• employment covered by private disability and death benefit plans which provide equal or greater amounts of coverage than workers’ compensation insurance in Nevada
• temporary employees brought from another state and insured by another state
• construction trades lasting less than 20 days and having labor costs less than $500
How do I file a report for my injury under Nevada Workers’ Compensation Laws?
You need to report the accident to your employee immediately, and you will have to fill out Form C-1/Notice of Injury or Occupational Disease, as well as Form C-4/Employee’s Claim for Compensation/Report of Initial Treatment for workers’ compensation insurance in Nevada.
Where can I find more information on Nevada Workers’ Compensation Laws for Employers?
The following link under the NV Division of Industrial Relations will provide you with valuable information about claims under Nevada workers’ compensation laws:
You can also email questions about Nevada workers’ compensation laws to WCSHelp@business.nv.gov and this service can also help you with the claims process.  You’ll want to ask any necessary questions as soon as possible so you can file for workers’ compensation insurance in Nevada right away.
What Benefits are available in Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Nevada
An injured worker is entitled to several different kinds of benefits under workers’ compensation insurance in Nevada: mainly medical benefits and wage loss benefits.  These types of benefits are explained below:
1. Medical Benefits- the worker is fully covered for ALL medical expenses related to the work injury under Nevada workers’ compensation laws.  These benefits are not limited to the compensation for services listed below:
• doctor and hospital services
• nursing services
• medication
• physical therapy
• medical equipment
• travel mileage to and from medical facilities
If the accident was severe, workers’ compensation insurance in Nevada will also cover burial costs.
2. Wage Benefits- According to Nevada workers’ compensation laws, a worker is entitled up to two-thirds of their weekly wages for the amount of time they are covered.  If a doctor determines the worker has a permanent disability that will impede their level of work in the future, the degree or the permanent disability will compensate for the difference in wages.
