Investopedia defines workers’ compensation as a “government-mandated program” that benefits workers who get injured on the job. A worker enjoys these wage replacements and medical benefits if work-related injuries occur. This compensation implies that workers will have to give up their rights to sue an employer for the injuries.
As long as workers can prove that they sustained injuries or fell ill due to work, they will likely qualify for workers’ compensation. You must be mindful of some things to ensure you get compensated for a workplace injury. This article recommends certain tips to claim your workers’ compensation successfully.
Tips for claiming your workers’ compensation
Depending on the actions you take after an injury, you can either succeed or fail to have your workers’ compensation claim approved. If you are involved in any injury while in the workplace, here are some tips that can be helpful to claim workers’ compensation:
Report the injury on time
States usually have their deadlines within which you can report an injury. If the deadline passes without notice of injury, you may lose your rights to claim your compensation. It would help if you told your supervisor or employer as soon as an injury happens in the workplace.
Also, it can be difficult to prove a workplace injury after too much time has passed.
Seek medical attention on time
Do not neglect the importance of prompt medical care after an injury. Aside from treatment and recovery, it can also serve as evidence to support your compensation claim. You can get a copy of a report or statement from a doctor as proof of your injury.
Keep records for yourself
Ensure you document relevant information related to workplace injury for future reference. This helps you to remember important details, which can get blurry due to memory. You can also compare your records with your employer to check for inconsistencies and avoid falsehoods.
Other records you should keep include work restrictions, letters from the insurance company, and an accident report. These records serve as evidence, useful for getting your workers’ compensation claim approved.
File your claim properly
Filing a claim usually requires filling out a form. Your employer will need to file a form as well, which is called a “First Report of Injury.” Ensure the details of the form are filled correctly without mistakes.
“If you are not in the best health to fill any report, restrain from doing so. You can fill it out later when you feel healthier,” says workers’ compensation lawyer Sheryl Lam of Silberman & Lam LLP.
Be honest when making statements about the injury
When you are required to explain how you were hurt, do so truthfully. Tell the story of how the injury happened without being dishonest about it. Telling one event to your employer and telling a different one to the doctor will cause you problems.
If statements about your injury are inconsistent, your workers’ compensation claim may be denied.
Get familiar with workers’ compensation benefits
Understanding workers’ compensation benefits helps you know what may be available to you. An adjuster most likely will not explain the benefits system to you. Generally available benefits include temporary disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, medical treatment, vocational rehabilitation, and mileage.
Conclusion
Getting injured on the job is unfortunate and burdensome. But with a workers’ compensation claim, you may be relieved of some of the stress. Following the tips above, you should have no trouble getting your workers’ compensation claim approved.
Media Information:
Silberman & Lam, LLP
(619) 853-2456
4150 S Demaree St, Suite A
