Workers’ compensation claims offer benefits to employees who’ve suffered work-related injuries or illnesses. It ensures such individuals receive their rightful damages, which can include compensation for lost wages along with medical benefits. Additionally, it may include indemnification for the cost of mileage to travel to access medical treatment. If you’ve been a victim of a workplace-related accident, a personal injury attorney will guide you through the steps as you file your workers’ compensation claim.
Reporting the Injury to the Employer
Some of the dangers workers experience in their line of duty include developing cancer due to prolonged exposure to harmful substances or sustaining catastrophic injuries from workplace equipment. In such scenarios, the employee should first report the matter to their employer before obtaining a medical report to accompany their workers’ compensation claim.
Obtaining Paperwork from the Employer
Once the employer is informed about the injury, they should provide the worker with the proper reporting forms for the workers’ compensation insurance provider. They should also offer a form for reporting to a workers’ compensation board as well as information on the employee’s rights and workers’ compensation benefits they are entitled to. A properly detailed return-to-work arrangement should be made available.
Filing the Claim
In most cases, after your lawyer is done preparing your claim, the employer’s accountable for submitting the paperwork to the workers’ compensation insurance provider.
The Insurer Approves or Denies Your Claim
Once the claim is filed, the insurer will make a final decision regarding your claim. The employee is contacted with payment details if the claim is approved. At times, the claim may be denied if the employee doesn’t qualify for any remunerations. In such cases, hiring a personal injury attorney can help such individuals pursue the justice they deserve.
Returning to Work
The worker should inform the employer and the insurance company via a written notice about the recovery and the day they wish to report back to work. If occupational injuries on a particular job site continue, the company’s workers’ compensation insurance premiums may increase.
A Personal Injury Attorney Can Help Get the Compensation You Deserve
Businesses strive to protect themselves and their employees against workplace injury-related losses by purchasing workers’ compensation insurance. Contact a personal injury attorney at Robert J. Debry & Associates to learn more about your rights when filing a workers’ compensation claim.