You Can Learn From My Mistakes

How To Ease Your Workers' Compensation Worries

25 September 2019 by Riley Sanchez

Your workers' compensation claim can be approved, denied, or subject to problems. You cannot be certain of how easily you will be able to attain the benefits you need until you submit your claim. You can, however, take a few proven steps to increase the chances of your claim being approved and sailing through the process. To find out what you can do to directly affect your claim, read on.

1. See a Doctor Immediately – Your claim relies on getting medical help for your injury. Minor injuries that only need a bandage and don't appear to warrant a visit to the emergency room are probably not eligible for benefits. Let the office staff and the doctor know that your injury or illness is work-related.
2. Tell Your Work Supervisor – Workers' compensation rules require that workers let their supervisor know about the incident as soon as possible. There are rules in every state about how long you have to inform your supervisor.
3. File a Claim Form – State law governs workers' compensation insurance so there is some variation on the procedure for filing a claim. In some states, the hurt worker is responsible for filling out the claim form. In some, the supervisor does so. No matter who completes the form, don't sign a form with blank spaces or inaccurate information. Also, delays in filing a claim form between the accident or the discovery of an occupational illness and the submission of a claim form can make it appear that you are not truly hurt.
4. Follow Up With the Claim – In most cases, you will be immediately approved for medical care but must wait for an approval before you can begin to earn partial disability wages. You can expect some investigation of your accident and you may be asked to provide more information. If you are not contacted by the insurer after the claim is filed, contact them after a week has passed. There is always a chance that the claim form was misplaced.
5. Abide By Doctor's Orders – Your workers' compensation doctor is in charge of your treatment and is the one who decides when you should return to work. Follow the doctor's recommendations about treatment and medications. If you need to see a specialist, such as an orthopedic surgeon, this doctor must refer you before the workers' comp insurer will pay the costs.

If you do all of the above and still encounter problems with your claim, speak to a workers' compensation attorney. They can advise you and support you while appeals are filed, mediation occurs, and through every hearing necessary to get you the benefits you need.