Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Construction Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured on the job, you may not have to turn to your health insurance company for medical coverage. Your employer should have a workers’ compensation policy to cover on-the-job incidents. The insurance will pay for your medical care and treatment. It can also pay a portion of your salary for any time you miss at work. If you are considering filing a claim, you need to know the proper process so things go smoothly.

Report Your Injury

Before you do anything about the incident, you should report it to your direct supervisor or to human resources immediately. Even minor injuries should be reported so they’re on record. Waiting too long could result in a denial of your workers’ compensation claim. For example, if you cut your hand on a piece of machinery, it could lead to an infection. However, if you didn’t report the initial injury, you won’t likely be able to file a workers’ compensation claim for the infection.

Work with Your Employer to Get Workers’ Compensation Coverage

Your employer’s human resources representative should help you file a workers’ compensation claim for your injury. This person or team should walk you through each step in the process, including filing the right paperwork.

The Time Frame

It’s in your best interest to file your claim as quickly as possible. Every state has different guidelines on how long you have to make your claim. In some places, the timeline is as short as one year, while in other states you may have three years or longer. If you don’t comply with these regulations, you won’t get the coverage you need.

Exceptions

You may, however, have a special circumstance that allows you to extend your filing. If your injuries were so severe that you were physically unable to go through the filing process, you may be able to have additional time to make your claim. Also, if you were in a coma, you might not have been able to file right away. Workers’ compensation may make an exception for you in this case. Another example would be if you didn’t discover a workplace ailment until later, and the deadline had already expired. This happens when a worker is exposed to a hazardous chemical or substance but symptoms didn’t manifest until years later.

If you are injured at work, speak with your employer and a lawyer, like a workers compensation lawyers from Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt, as soon as possible. Follow these rules and you should be able to get the financial help you need.