How To Make Sure You Get The Right Compensation After Getting Injured At Work
Every employee deserves to feel safe in their workspace. Therefore, employers must guarantee the safety of the surrounding environment and make sure that it isn’t hazardous or unsound. On many occasions, employers fail to provide a safe environment, which jeopardizes the employees’ lives. However, employees can still get hurt even when the necessary precautions are taken by their superiors. The injuries can be as minor as a scratch, but sometimes they can be severe, which affects the employee’s life drastically. In the unfortunate event that you or a loved one encounters an on-the-job injury, you must get compensated. In this article, we will cover how you can go about claiming compensation after getting injured.
Seek Medical Help
Even if the injury looks minor, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible after the incident takes place. Sometimes, if you overlook medical attention, the injury can get more serious. Find the nearest medical amenity to examine you. Make sure to inform your doctor of all the details of the injury so they can document them in your medical records. It is important to document the details as they will come in handy when claiming your compensation.
Moreover, you need to take photos of the accident scene, including your wounds and what caused them. Make sure you have the contact details of whoever witnessed the incident. As soon as the check-up is over, you need a follow-up doctor, whether they’re in your health network or not. Save copies of bills and any papers related to your injury, including the dates of visits to the doctor, medical expenses, and days you couldn’t go to work because of your injury. Additionally, your physician needs to state how serious the harm is and how it will affect your performance.
Report to Your Employer
After receiving the necessary medical help, you need to report the incident to your employer. The sooner you notify your superior, the better your chance is at getting compensation. Typically, you should report the accident on the same day or within a few days to protect your rights. After that, your employer needs to file a claim with the worker’s compensation insurance to document a formal report of your injury. Once the Workers’ comp process starts, you should receive automatic care and protection. Furthermore, when your employer files a compensation claim, all your medical expenses will be covered. However, if your employer fails to report the incident or the company doesn’t have worker’s compensation coverage, you can sue your employer for medical expenses and hold them financially responsible.
Know Your Rights
Getting injured on the job entitles you to certain rights. Although these rights can vary from one country to another, some states share the same legal rights. For starters, you hold the right to file a compensation claim for your injury. Your employer should be the one to report the incident. However, if they fail to do so, you can do it yourself with the help of your attorney.
You’re also entitled to receive the medical treatment you need. Additionally, when your doctor finally states that your condition allows you to resume your regular duties, you should return to your old job. However, if your injury or illness hinders your ability to get back to work, either temporarily or permanently, you’re entitled to disability compensation. Furthermore, if the decisions taken by your employer or the compensation court don’t appeal to you, you have the right to be represented by an attorney throughout the whole process.
Hire A Specialized Lawyer
Going through the process of claiming workers’ comp alone is daunting and stressful. Insurance companies will do their best to use recorded statements against you. Moreover, the steps needed to file a claim can be complicated. Therefore, you need a lawyer who can help you file the compensation claim. A specialized attorney can take care of documenting and filing the injury forms and negotiate with the insurance company. A lawyer can also ensure that you receive the necessary medical treatment until you fully recover from your injury and guarantee you get your wages while you’re receiving your treatment. Furthermore, make sure that your lawyer supports you throughout the entire process and exerts an effort to get you the compensation you deserve.
Understand The Disqualifiers
In some cases, where an employee is using drugs or alcohol, their injuries aren’t covered by workers’ compensation insurance. For example, if you were intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs during the time of the accident, your injuries will not be covered. Therefore, don’t be surprised when your employer asks you to submit to a drug test. They need to ensure that the compensation you’re getting is legit. Additionally, if your injuries are caused on commute or as a result of a fight, they will not be covered as well.
Dissatisfied With The Claim Resolution
If you disagree with your claim’s final resolution, you can either petition for an oral hearing or a revision of the written report. You can also demand the decision to be reconsidered by presenting a written form to the concerned party. If you have a piece of evidence that hasn’t been previously submitted, you can present it in your petition. However, sometimes you may not be granted a second hearing on the same case.
Your normal life can change significantly all of a sudden due to an on-job injury. You can find yourself stressing about a variety of things, including the seriousness of your injury and how you will pay your bills. Accidents at work can happen at any time, so it’s wise to be prepared for the process of filing a compensation claim. Employees should seek compensation for missed paychecks and medical bills incurred when out of employment due to an injury, preferably with the assistance of a specialized attorney. When filing a claim for compensation or benefits, obtaining records of your accident will surely be helpful. By reporting your accident to your employer and seeing a doctor, you guarantee that it is documented for future reference.
