Getting injured at work can be a super difficult thing to deal with, especially if you are not sure how to proceed when it comes to filing for worker’s comp benefits. Taking the time to learn about filing workers’ comp claims can help you streamline the process and get the best results possible.
What is Workers’ Comp?
So, what is workers comp, and how can it help you if you are injured on the job? Workers’ comp is a type of insurance policy that companies are required to carry when they have a certain number of employees to help protect themselves, their employees, and their mutual interests. It is meant to help payout in the event that someone is injured on the job so that they do not have to pay medical bills or take unpaid time off of work.
Workers’ comp is a great thing. It can help you to get your medical bills paid if you are injured at work and can also help you stop worrying about things like how you are going to afford taking time off of work to get better. This type of insurance also helps to protect the employer by giving them the money they need to pay those medical bills and time off of work and to avoid legal action and being sued. Workers comp claims are relatively simple to file if you take the time to do so carefully and to consider all aspects of the claim before you start your filing.
How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim?
The process starts, of course, with the initial incident. You need to make sure that an accurate account of the event is recorded by your employer and that reports are filed so that there is a paper trail proving what happened. This is also going to help you go through with your paperwork and with filling things out later on down the road.
You want to collect as much evidence as possible, claims are less likely to get pushed back and rejected when they have substantial evidence to back them up and to prove that something actually did happen. If there are witnesses, their statements may be helpful, if there is video, it can also help you get your settlement passed. When filing you also want to consider that you need to make sure your medical team writes a report of your injuries and a report of how your injuries are being taken care of and how they are being treated.
Most workers comp companies are going to want a report from your doctor stating how they believe the injury occurred if it is consistent with your claims, and how they cared for it and helped to get you back on your feet. Many claims are pushed back out because of clerical errors, so, if you are filing it is important to be as accurate and as thorough as possible. You want to file your claim within the window that is offered, but you also want to make sure you are taking your time when filling out your paperwork, so you can ensure that it is accurate and correct.
When filling out your workers’ comp claim, many times the human resources department of wherever you are working will help with paperwork. It takes a couple of weeks for claims to process and be paid out, so your employer may give you paid time off or work while they wait for it to process. The entire process does take time, but it is going to be worth it.
What to Do if Your Claim is Denied?
In some cases, your workers’ comp claim may be denied. This is not the end of the line, however. If you are dealing with a denial that is wrong and that you feel was unjust, it is important to note that you can appeal the denial, and you can start the process again. If you are dealing with a denial, a lawyer is always going to be your best bet. Workers comp lawyers know what a denial is, they know what commonly gets claims denied, and they know how to go about fixing them so that you can get your claim approved.
The right lawyer is going to fight for you. They are going to be on your side, and they are going to be able to help you refile your claim, get your settlement and start working on healing rather than worrying about a denied workers’ comp claim. Your lawyer is going to work with you to create a timeline and to get all the information about the accident, about how it was handled, and about how you were taken care of at the hospital.
The right lawyer is going to be by your side from start to finish and can help ease some stress and fears that come with dealing with a workers’ comp claim that has been denied. It can be hard to figure out where to go next, with the help of an experienced lawyer you can sit back and heal and leave your case in their capable hands. Workers’ comp is a wonderful thing, when used correctly it can serve to protect both employee and employer, and it can help give you the time that you need to heal and move on from your workplace accident.
