No one wants to get injured, and that goes doubly so for workplace injuries that require time off to heal. Back in 2013, there were nearly 100,000 occupational injuries and illnesses that required workers to miss work to recover. The good news is that workers compensation can cover related medical expenses and lost wages, but this is rarely an easy or straightforward process.
Some workers may require lawyers experienced in workers comp if their claim is contested by the company. Here’s how you do it.
What Exactly Is Worker’s Comp? How Does It Work and How Can Get My Benefits?
Workers comp is a type of insurance companies keep on their employees. Every business with even one employee is required to have workers comp. That’s good news for workers, but just because your employer has it, doesn’t mean you won’t need to consult with a few workers compensation lawyers at some point.
The compensation comes when an employee experiences an injury that would not have occurred if they had not been at work. This might come in the form of wrist tendonitis for a restaurant server, or perhaps a slip. In 2013, there were just over 327,000 injuries in the form of sprains, muscle strains or tears, and over 229,000 falls, trips, and slips, and also nearly 170,500 back injuries.
This Is How You Make a Workers Compensation Claim.
There are two things you must do immediately if you’re injured at work. First, go to the doctor to receive a diagnosis and medical care for the injury. Next, inform your boss about the injury, which means the diagnosis, the projected time to recover, and how the injury came about.
Informing your employer is an important step, but it has its pitfalls as the window of time a worker has to let them know about the injury differs from state to state. Some may allow for a window of a few months, while others give only a few days for workers to report their injury. This step is important, as it can effect your benefits.
My Claim Is Being Questioned. Do I Need to Consult With Lawyers?
While being injured on the job may seem straightforward, many workers have found it is anything but. Consider the following: were you injured on your lunch break? How about at the company picnic and baseball game? Some employers will try to say that any injury off location or during off-hours does not fall on the company’s shoulders.
This is when it can be helpful to consult a few lawyers with experience fighting for workers comp benefits. Depending on how long you are at home recovering, the loss of wages can be significant. You’ll need to pay your regular bills, and the doctor’s bills. You’re going to need some help.
No one enjoys being hurt. Missing work and worrying about how you’ll be paid doesn’t make the process go faster. Remember, if you are so unfortunate as to have an accident at work that results in an injury, there are two things you must do right away. One, go see a doctor. Two, inform your employer. And if you run into trouble getting your claim approved, seek help.