If you have been injured in a work-related accident while you were performing your job as a welder, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. Most businesses that hire welders are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover the welders if they either fall sick or have an accident while on the job. This helps to protect the welder from the financial hardship caused by the accident. The workers’ compensation typically covers two thirds of the welder’s weekly wage while not at work and the full cost of medical treatment. What to Do Before Filing Your WC Claim If you have been involved in an accident while working as a welder and you have been injured the first thing you should do is seek the medical treatment you require. You will need to make sure that you have evidence to support that you have received medical treatment as this will help you support your workers’ compensation claim. As soon as you are able you should notify your employer of your injury. You can do this in writing but your employer will ask you to fill in an accident form. You should not take too long submitting your claim. The sooner you file your claim the sooner you will be able to receive benefits and the longer you wait the more skeptical you employer may be Filing Your Report Once you’re ready to file your report your employer will send over forms for you to fill out. When you have completed the forms your employer should then submit the forms on your behalf. If you’re having difficulty filing your report, you should contact your local workers’ comp office. It is a good idea to provide the following evidence with your report: eye witnesses’ written reports which prove your injury happened while working as a welder; photographs taken by you or other welders who saw the accident; receipts for medical treatment already paid for; surveillance camera footage showing the welding accident taking place (if available); your doctor’s diagnosis and likely treatment time. After You File Your Accident Report You cannot expect just to receive your workers’ compensation benefits immediately. The insurance company will take some time, as it will conduct an investigation to determine if your WC claim is valid. It may contact any of the following before your WC claim is approved: your employer, eye witnesses, your doctor. If your employer’s insurer approves your WC claim you will begin receiving benefits. These should include two thirds of your weekly wage that you were receiving when the accident happened and the full cost of your medical treatment. If your WC claim is denied that you can lodge an appeal. There are many reasons why a claim may be denied, but often it is because the insurer isn’t convinced that your injury took place while you were working in your welder’s job. If you have had your WC claim denied you should contact your local Workers' Compensation Appeals Board to file an appeal. The appeal’s hearing will take place and the judge will hear your case and tell the employer’s WC insurer to pay your WC as long as your claim is valid. Contact a Workers’ Comp Lawyer If you are finding it difficult to file your WC claim or your claim has been denied, the help of an attorney can help you get your claim on the right track and get the workers’ compensation you deserve. Additional Resources What to Know if You Were Hurt as a Welder Documenting a Workplace Accident
