It does not matter if you are a construction worker or an office worker, there are potential hazards that arise with any job. As a result, most employers must purchase workers’ compensation insurance so that employees can be compensated fairly for their injuries at work, without having to sue.
However, you qualify for the benefits of compensation for accidents only if reports quickly and meets all requirements appropriately during workers ‘ compensation. Even in this case, insurance companies sometimes incorrectly reject, or undervalue, claims.
To ensure that you will have the best opportunity to claim all the workers’ compensation benefits to which you are entitled, there are five things you must do if you suffer an accident at work.
Report the injury to your employer
According to the severity of your injury, the first thing you should do, after suffering an accident at work, is to inform your employer.
Occupational accident compensation insurance does not have a culprit, so you can report any injury you have suffered without fear, even if the injury was caused by an error on your part. You also should not worry about retaliation from your employer because of punitive actions for reporting an injury, such as a pay reduction or a charge reduction, as they are illegal.
When you report an injury, you should provide as much detail as possible about the accident, including the names of witnesses, how it was caused, the location and when it happened. If your injury has developed over time (known as a repetitive strain injury), you need to document how your work contributed to the injury and make sure you present the report to your employer as soon as you notice it.
The most common injuries for which you can receive compensation include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Lumbar injuries
- Disk wounds
- Stress fractures
- Get medical attention
If you have suffered an injury because of your work, it is likely that your number one concern and that of your family, is your health. Obtain medical treatment from your doctor if you suspect it may be a repetitive injury, and report your injury if you and your doctor think that the injury may have been caused by the work. If your injury occurred during a sudden accident at work (such as the man who received compensation after being injured by a crane operator who dropped a heavy bell hammer on his head while on a barge installing springs), Do not hesitate to seek medical attention immediately.
When you begin the process of compensation for an accident at work, the insurance company may ask you to send independent medical examinations (IMEs) by a doctor of your choice. This review will go a long way towards determining the compensation that the insurance company thinks you deserve. If you believe that the insurance company has undervalued your claim and the doctor who performed the IME misinterpreted your injuries, you may need to hire a lawyer to file an appeal.
Follow your doctor’s instructions
Although you should never disobey a doctor’s instructions, it is especially important not to disobey them during the workers’ compensation process. Failure to follow your instructions properly can give your insurance company reasons to reject, or undervalue your claim.
This means that you must attend all the medical checkups, take the prescribed medicines, follow the guidelines of medical treatment and only perform the jobs that are allowed in your job.
Depending on the state in which you live and your employer’s workplace accident insurance policy, the period for filing a claim for workers’ compensation may only be up to 30 days after you become aware of your injury.
Regardless of the rules of your jurisdiction, you should attempt to notify your employer of your injury immediately, so that you can notify the insurance company and begin the process of workers’ compensation. DO NOT lose your compensation for an injury related to your job for a technicality.
In an ideal world, you will receive sufficient compensation for your injuries, if you followed all the steps mentioned above. But unfortunately, that is not always the case and insurance companies reject unfairly and undervalue claims. If you believe that your claim was undervalued or unfairly denied, you may want to speak with expert workers’ compensation lawyers to help you file an appeal.