Federal & State Regulations | Workers’ compensation - New Hampshire

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

There is no federal workers’ compensation requirement for most private employers.

Insurance requirement: Self-insurance by private carrier, individual employer, or groups of employers.

Exemptions from WC: None.

Medical benefits provided: Full.

Physician selection: Employee selects physician.

Benefits for temporary total disability (TTD): 60 percent of worker’s wage for duration of disability.

Benefits for permanent total disability (PTD): 60 percent of worker’s wage for duration of disability.

Benefits for permanent partial disability (PPD): 60 percent of worker’s wage for up to 262 weeks.

Scheduled awards: Scheduled awards are paid in addition to and concurrently with TTD benefits. Awards are not reduced because of receipt of TTD benefits.

Disfigurement benefits: Disfigurement and scarring caused by burns. Permanent impairment award based on physician’s evaluation of percent loss to whole person following AMA guides times employee’s compensation rate.

Death benefits for surviving spouse and children: 60 percent of employee’s wage for spouse alone and 60 percent of employee’s wage for spouse and children for duration of widow/widowerhood; children until 18. Children receive benefits until age 18, or until age 25 if full-time students.

Maximum burial allowance: $5,000 ($10,000 effective January 1, 2010)

Waiting period: 3 days. Compensation is retroactive if disability continues for 14 days or more from date of injury.

Rehabilitation: Physical rehabilitation is covered under medical services. Vocational rehabilitation (VR) costs, including books, tools, board, and lodging are covered by employer. Employees must accept VR or they may lose compensation. During VR employees receive TTD plus books, tools, board, lodging, and travel.

Attorney fees: 20 percent, policy, determined by agency.

Occupational hearing loss statutes: Employee has 2 years to file for compensation. Compensation for one ear is $32,085; for two ears it is $131,549. There is no deduction for preexisting loss.

Forms - http://www.nh.gov/labor/forms/index.htm

What’s new - http://www.nh.gov/labor/index.htm