Since independent contractors aren’t technical employees, companies aren’t legally obligated to pay medical, disability, death, or dismemberment benefits in the same way as they would with a hired employee. But, understandably, when a contract worker is hurt on the job, he/she doesn’t care about a company’s legal obligations—he/she just wants help paying his hospital bills.
Independent contractors hurt on the job will sometimes sue a trucking company, claiming that they were a hired employee all along and that they legally deserve compensation. That’s where Occupational Accident Insurance comes into play.
The Occupational Accident Benefit Package for Owner-Operators includes:
Temporary Total Disability Benefit. Enrolled TOA members receive temporary total disability benefit when they become temporarily disabled, which means that they are not able to work for a short period of time due to an accidental occupational-related injury and get paid up to $750/week for up to 52 weeks.
Permanent Total Disability Benefit. If you are still disabled after the temporary total disability period expires, then the permanent total disability benefit kicks in and pays a percentage of your salary until you can go back to work or up to 65 years of age.
Accident Medical Benefit. Enrolled TOA members receive accident medical benefit that pays for the medical and out-of-pocket costs that you may incur after an accidental occupational-related injury. This includes emergency treatment, hospital stays, medical exams, and other expenses you may face, such as transportation and lodging needs up to 104 weeks.
Contingent Liability Benefit. Enrolled TOA members receive a contingent liability benefit that pays the amount that Workers’ Compensation laws require an employer to pay when workers are injured in accidents arising out of or in connection with work they do.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefit. Enrolled TOA members receive Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage up to $200,000.
Drug Prescription Discount Benefit. Enrolled TOA members receive drug prescription discounts up to 85% on most of prescription drugs.
ID Safety Benefit. Enrolled TOA members receive Proactive and Fraud services like financial, tax ID, medical, and criminal identity theft protection.
Discount Benefit. Enrolled TOA members receive discounts on lodging and vehicle rentals.