Workplace injuries happen far too often; sadly, many people find themselves needing medical care and rehabilitation following their accident.
Not only do injured or sick employees face looming medical bills, but often discover that they are unable to work and become behind financially.
Thankfully, worker’s compensation makes it possible for injured employees to get money for medical bills and lost wages. All you need to do to take advantage of worker’s compensation is file a claim and then follow your state’s specific regulations. We’ve made it easy by explaining the filing process below.
Step One: Get the Help You Need
If you’ve been hurt or become ill while working, it’s important to start by getting medical care. Don’t worry about filing a claim or getting compensation until you take care of medical needs. Be sure to keep good documentation of all your injuries, bills, and lost wages.
Step Two: Let Your Employer Know You’re Injured
Depending on where you live, there is a certain amount of time you have to let your employer know that you were injured on the job. Your best bet is to inform your employer as soon as possible since some states allow for only a few days.
Step Three: Fill Out the Claim Form
Your employer should have a claim form for you to fill out and submit. If your employer refuses to help you fill out a workers’ compensation claim, you should get in touch with your area workers’ compensation office and let them know about the situation.
Step Four: File the Claim
Once the claim is filled out, it’s up to your employer to file it with the insurance company. In some states, you will also need to file a separate claim through the state’s workers’ compensation agency within a short time period.
Step Five: Wait to Be Approved
If both your employer and the insurance agency agree that you deserve the compensation, your claim will be approved and either you or your employer will be contacted with information about submitting your bills for payment.
These are the basics of filing for a workers’ compensation claim; however, the process does not always go smoothly. Expect to hit a few bumps along the way.
Your Employer May Fight You
Sadly, a lot of employers will fight the claim in an attempt to keep their insurance rates from getting higher. This is the time you will need to use the documentation you’ve been saving to prove you deserve the compensation.
Be Realistic About Compensation
If you have received care for your injury and have been able to go on working, you can’t expect to receive more compensation than just what is necessary to pay for your medical bills.
If your injury keeps you from working on a temporary basis, you can expect to start receiving checks that will make up for your lost wages soon after your claim goes through. Once you begin working again, your employer will contact the insurance company and you will quit receiving these checks.
By using the tips listed above, you can file a workers’ compensation claim so that your medical bills will be paid and you can recover lost wages, thus giving you the chance to move forward with your life as if the incident never happened.