Collateral Offsets to Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Mathew D. Staver, Liberty University

Abstract

An employee who is injured in the course and scope of employment may be entitled to receive indemnity and medical benefits. However, the employer/carrier (E/C) also may be entitled to offset certain collateral benefits against workers' compensation indemnity benefits. The purpose behind the offset rules is to prevent an injured employee from reaping a windfall from the work accident so that the employee is not compensated more after than before the accident.