Being injured on the job is a scary thing. But if you work in the construction injury, or for a company that employs five or more people, you are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. This type of insurance is designed to pay for your medical expenses, and compensate you for a portion of your lost wages, when you are harmed while performing a work-related task.
If you are hurt at work, you need to initiate the process of applying for workers’ compensation benefits as soon as possible. Be sure to follow the steps listed below–
The first thing that you need to do when you are injured on the job is to make sure that you report your injury to your employer. You should report your injury as soon as possible, but are required to report your injury within a month of its occurrence. Your employer is required to notify its insurer and the Division of Workers’ Compensation Insurance. The insurance company will review your case, and determine whether or not to approve benefits.
Once you have reported your injury to your employer, you should seek treatment for your injuries. Keep in mind that if you want to see a doctor of your own choosing that is not approved by your employer/their insurer, you will need to pay for the expense out of pocket. Otherwise, your employer is required to pay for all of your necessary and reasonable medical expenses when treatment is sought from a healthcare provider of the employer’s choosing. You do not have to pay a deductible for these services, and should not receive a bill.
In addition to compensation for your medical expenses, you may also be entitled to benefits such as payment for lost wages and disability benefits. If you do not receive the benefits that you believe you are entitled to, you will need to file a claim for compensation with the Division of Workers’ Compensation. You must file your claim for compensation within two years from the date of your injury.
In many instances, workers who are injured on the job report the injury to their employer, seek medical care, and are quickly paid all of the benefits that they are entitled to by virtue of the workers’ compensation system. In other cases though, the cause of injury or the extent of injury is disputed, and an employer/insurance company may deny benefits. When you are seriously hurt or/and have not received the benefits that you believe you deserve, you need an experienced workers’ compensation attorney on your side to represent you. Our attorneys not only investigate your case and help you to establish what happened and the extent of your injuries, but we are also skilled negotiators and litigators.
To schedule your free consultation about your workers’ compensation case with our team at The Law Firm of Webster & Carlton today, call us directly or send us a message via the form on our website.