Sustaining an injury or illness at work can be an overwhelming experience. In addition to pain and suffering, you may face financial difficulties due to lost wages and high medical bills.
Fortunately, workers’ compensation insurance can help you cover your costs and return to your feet. This program is a legal requirement in most states for employers, and it is designed to offer support and financial assistance to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses.
If you are looking for information about claiming workers’ compensation, here are some tips to help you get started.
Report Your Injury to Your Supervisor or Employer Promptly
The first step in filing a successful workers’ compensation claim is immediately reporting your injury or illness. This is because states provide different timelines for filing injury claims, so reporting past this period could affect your eligibility for benefits.
When reporting your accident, ensure you provide as much information as possible. Ideally, state the incident’s location, date, and time, the type of injuries you suffered, and witnesses. You should also be accurate and honest with your explanation, as lying could result in legal consequences.
Seek Medical Attention
Whether your injury was severe or minor, seeking medical attention immediately after a work-related accident is vital. Delaying treatment can not only worsen your condition but also make it hard to justify your injury or illness.
During your visit to the doctor, state all the signs and symptoms and outline that your injury is work-related. This will enable your healthcare provider to draft a detailed report on the severity of your condition.
In addition, keep every record of all the medical bills, prescriptions, travel expenses, and other costs. You will need this information to determine the value of your compensation claim.
Keep Updating Your Employer and Insurance Company About Your Progress
Stay in touch with your employer and the insurance company throughout your recovery period. You should contact them regularly to talk about your medical condition, changes to your treatment plan, new signs and symptoms, and the time you expect to return to work.
Maintaining a close relationship with your employer can help ensure they process your claim smoothly and on time. Moreover, if your condition changes, making it difficult to perform your regular duties, your employer may offer alternative light jobs.
Consider Working with a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Filing a workers’ compensation claim can be challenging, especially if it is your first time. Fortunately, experienced workers’ compensation attorneys are available to make your work easier, allowing you to concentrate on recovery.
“An experienced attorney knows how to handle the various legal challenges of filing compensation claims because they have been doing it for years. They will help you negotiate with the insurance company and protect you from being exploited,” says attorney Sheryl Lam of Silberman & Lam, LLP.
When looking for a workers’ compensation attorney, consider their track record, reputation, client relationship, fees, and availability. You can learn more about a lawyer by reading reviews on their sites from past clients.
Conclusion
Filing a workers’ compensation claim should not be challenging if you follow these five tips. However, if you want a stress-free process, consider hiring an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. Most of these lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not need to worry about paying high initial legal fees.
