Several Steps To Help You Properly File A Workers’ Compensation Claim
There are several entities
involved in the workers’ compensation procedure:
- Division of Workers’ Compensation
- Employer
- Insurance company
- Medical provider
- Liable third party (possible)
With all these entities involved, it’s not hard to figure out why
injured workers have a real hard time wading through the process.
Understanding The Process
Of Workers’ Compensation Claims
If you’re going to file a workers’ compensation claim, you need to be
sure you don’t make any mistakes – right from the get-go. This is where
the hiring of a workers’ compensation attorney comes in handy. After
all, he/she will make sure the procedure is correctly followed and that
you get the full benefits you are entitled to after you have been
injured on the job.
The majority of workers’ compensation claims is cut and dry and usually
resolved quickly by ensuring the steps are correctly followed. Most
claims won’t need the assistance of an attorney. But, in instances
where the employer or insurance company denies the claims for no real
reason, this is when an attorney is necessary due to their expert
advice on how best to go on with the claim to ensure you get a positive
outcome.
What To Expect and How To
Protect Yourself During The Process
How do you protect your claim from the get-go? It’s done by making sure
you are completely familiar with the workers’ compensation process and
what the policies of the company are.
It’s very important employees know the company’s policy when it comes
to injuries involved with workers’ compensation. You jeopardize your
case if you delay reporting the injury or making a claim. As soon as
you notice you are injured, you need to report the injury. If you don’t
report it immediately or allow time to occur between the reporting and
injury, insurance carriers will claim your workers’ compensation claim
is false.
It’s possible that injuries or illnesses can come up over time, which
makes it harder to pinpoint when the injury actually took place. The
moment you notice your injury is hindering your ability to do this – or
you decide to seek medical help for it – you need to report the injury
to your employer.
Some employees will play the “wait and see” game before they report an
injury, trying to determine if it’s something they can handle without
medical intervention. The problem with the “wait and see” game is that
if an injury worsens, the claim could be repudiated because the injury
wasn’t reported in a timely manner.
Therefore, it’s imperative to report any injury – minor or major – the
instant it happens. Documentation is very important when it comes to
filing a workers’ compensation claim. So, report your injury to your
employer, fill out the paperwork, talk with your supervisor and get
medical treatment.
During the filing of workers’ compensation claim, the adjuster from the
insurance company will take a recorded statement from you. Some of the
things you’ll be asked include:
- Present work injury
- Previous work injuries
- Previous claims you have made
It’s important to watch the things you say because everything will
affect your case. If you’re worried about what you should or should not
say, talk with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. He/she
can be there for you during the statement process and/or advise you on
how to handle the claim.