It’s a nightmare situation that many people experience every year: getting injured at work and being unable to make money. This scenario requires applying for worker compensation and getting help while you recover. However, it is important to understand the proper steps that you should take to avoid any issue. Doing so can ensure that you get the best overall care and treatment possible.
1. Visit a Doctor Right Away
According to ETC, around 2.7 million workers experience nonfatal workplace illnesses and injuries every year. When you experience one, you need to visit a doctor right away to get help because, even if it is nonfatal, it might debilitate or could even worsen without the proper help.
For example, if you get whiplash while driving a vehicle, your neck health might degrade if you don’t visit a chiropractor or other treatment specialist. If your condition worsens due to not getting treatment, your compensation case may be complicated, and you may struggle to win.
2. Receive a Health Assessment
The most successful worker compensation claims are those that involve catastrophic injuries or those that prevent you from working. These injuries include spinal cord problems, serious neck issues, heavy burns, and even paralysis which stop you from being able to work and provide for your family. As a result, a health assessment is a great step to take after getting injured.
Receive an honest opinion from a medical specialist who can gauge whether you can stay employed after your injury. Your loss of ability need not be permanent to get temporary compensation. However, long-term disability and other financial help may require more permanent and devastating injuries to stay effective.
3. Talk to Your Lawyer
Before trying to get compensation from your work, it is important to talk to a lawyer. While your case might go smoothly after you submit your claim, having a lawyer on retainer can help you by making sure that you get the legal help needed if your employer tries to deny your proper compensation claim.
Why do employers deny claims when they already pay worker compensation insurance that pays these costs for them? Some might not want to pay more money with increased claims or simply think that you’re lying about your injury. Whatever the reason, having a lawyer on your side is critical.
4. Research Your Case
Before preparing your case, it is important to do research into its validity. Use Google and other search engines to find information. Don’t worry if you’re using more than a few keywords because reports state that about 95.88% of all Google searches are four or more words and companies have compensated.
For instance, you might search “worker compensation claims in my state” and get great results because businesses have created keyword campaigns that include these search terms. Pay attention to things like what evidence you need and your submission process to ensure that you perform these steps properly.
5. Submit a Compensation Claim
After researching your case and talking to a lawyer, you can submit your compensation claim to your employer. These claims need to follow all the rules and regulations of your state. For example, you may need to fill out complex personal details and get evidence of your injury from various people.
Doing so can help you out by making it easier to get the compensation that you want. All the research you performed and the help of your skilled lawyer can ensure that you have the best chance of winning. Most companies are unlikely to combat your claim unless they think you’re faking an injury.
This situation can make your return to work awkward if you do get compensation, though you should be legally protected from any negative ramifications. If you believe that your employer is treating you differently after they lose a compensation case, it is important to talk to your lawyer to see what kind of help you can get.
