Worker’s compensation is a program that benefits workers who have sustained injuries due to the job or while working. These benefits may include cash, healthcare, occasional therapy, or reimbursement.
As a worker, you must understand how compensation works and what you should receive in the event that you get hurt. It’s advisable to hire a lawyer to help you navigate the process. Learn more on this worker’s compensation attorney’s website to know what to look for.
When to Claim Worker’s Compensation?
You would qualify for worker’s compensation benefits if your injury or illness occurred within the scope of employment or while on the job. These include occupational diseases caused by hazardous conditions in your workplace, such as chemicals and poisonous gas.
To formally file a compensation claim, you must be an eligible worker of the organization, get injured in a work-related situation, and work for an organization with an active worker’s compensation policy.
What Does Worker’s Compensation Cover?
Depending on the work-related injury or illness you may have suffered, various expenses are involved. These are hospital visits, physical therapy, medical equipment, prescription medication, and other out-of-pocket costs.
Worker’s compensation covers all these expenses once approval of your claim succeeds. It also pays for wages lost as a result of the injuries. You must also receive compensation for the time lost while absent from work.
The Claims Process
You must follow several steps from injury to compensation when you suffer a work-related injury. The sooner you get through these processes, the faster you can get compensation. There is limited time to file a claim and report the injury. Failure to report within this time may lead to denial of compensation.
The steps involved include:
- Seeking Medical Help
In circumstances where you will need emergency medical attention, you must seek healthcare immediately. In these cases, your employer doesn’t need directions from the Worker’s Compensation Board to pay for medical services before you can get assistance.
However, in other cases, your healthcare provider needs authorization from the board before they can help you. You do not pay for any of these services; your employer covers everything, including transportation.
- Reporting the Injury to the Supervisor
Once an injury occurs, you must report it to your employer or supervisor as soon as possible. Most organizations have a timeline of about 30 days to one year, within which you must have reported the incident.
Reporting after this time has elapsed is futile, and you cannot get compensation. In the event your case is an emergency, you must ensure you report it once you are out of the hospital and are well enough. With illnesses or injuries that surface over time, you must report them as soon as you notice them.
- Filling In the Necessary Paperwork
After reporting your injury, you must fill out a worker’s complaint form. This form states the nature of your worker injury, the place, time, and dynamics behind how it happened.
Before filing this form, you should understand your rights and the benefits you must receive depending on your illness or injury.
- Your Employer Sends the Claim to Your Insurance Company
For a compensation claim to be officially filed, your employer must send the claim form and other related documents to the worker’s insurance carrier.
- Approval Or Denial of the Claim
Once the filing process is complete, the insurer decides whether to approve or deny compensation. If approved, the insurer contacts you and your employer with settlement charges and the payment details.
You may request a reconsideration or file a formal appeal if it is denied. After the process is complete, you should resume work.
Wrap-Up
There is a high chance of injuries and illnesses occurring while working. In these situations, you qualify for worker’s compensation benefits.
Understanding how they work and your eligibility to receive these benefits is essential. Hiring an experienced and trustworthy compensation attorney makes this process smoother.
