How is the three-day waiting period determined for a worker's compensation claim?

The three-day waiting period for a worker's compensation claim is determined by the first day the worker loses time due to injury. This means that the waiting period officially starts from the moment the employee is unable to perform their job because of a work-related injury. This framework is designed to reflect the immediate impact of the injury on the worker's ability to earn a wage.

When assessing claims, this approach ensures that the waiting period accurately corresponds with the worker's loss of income directly related to their injury. In many jurisdictions, if the employee is unable to work for at least three days, they may become eligible for benefits covering the lost wages. This method is widely accepted because it provides a fair assessment of when the worker should start receiving compensation for their lost work days.