A workplace injury could happen at any time and leave you wondering how you can pay for medical treatment. Serious injuries may need long term treatment and this all costs money. You may have learnt that your employer has workers’ compensation insurance and believe that this may help to pay for medical treatment. You may not know a lot about it as it is something that you don’t think about until an accident happens. Most employers, with few exceptions, are required by state law to have workers’ comp. cover, usually, but not always, with a private insurance carrier. A workers’ comp. attorney can explain your legal rights. Medical Treatment After a Workplace Injury Not all injuries are serious, but even seemingly minor injuries can wind up costing you a small fortune. The worst case scenario is when an injury is so serious that its consequences are likely to affect you well into the future. The full cost of medical treatment can seem never ending. These are some of the costs that may have to be dealt with that are associated with medical treatment. Any trip by ambulance to and from a hospital. Transport to and from a doctor, medical center, specialist or hospital, whether it is with your own car, public transport or taxi. Bandages and medication you buy yourself at a pharmacy if you self treat yourself. Doctor’s visits. Hospital treatment including bandages, medication, scans, x-rays and surgery. Any future medical treatment beyond the date at which the claim is filed. This needs to be very carefully estimated otherwise a compensation payment may leave you out of pocket. Workers’ Compensation Can Help to Pay for Medical Treatment You will be relieved to know that a successful workers’ compensation claim should result in full payment of all medical treatment that you have already had and any future treatment that has been predicted to be needed. In fact, the only other component of a successful claim is partial compensation for lost earnings while you are unable to return to work. A successful claim for the cost of medical treatment depends on keeping to strict deadlines in reporting the accident and filing the claim. You don’t have to prove that your employer was at fault and you should still receive a payment even if you were to blame for the accident, as long as you didn’t intentionally injure yourself in order to make a claim. It is important that you collect any documentation that is related to your medical treatment, including doctor’s reports, diagnoses from a surgeon or specialist and all invoices and other receipts showing payments made or bills still to be paid. When an Attorney is Needed If you are in doubt about your entitlement to workers’ comp., are unsure what documentation you need, or have had your claim denied, then it is best to contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can provide legal advice and negotiate on your behalf. Can I Include Ambulance Bills in My Workers’ Comp Claim? Workers' Compensation Claims by Injury
