If you have suffered a workplace injury or illness, you don’t have to wait for medical benefits to kick in as part of your workers’ compensation claim. Medical benefits are payable for treatment of your condition right away. You should seek medical treatment from an approved healthcare provider as soon as possible. There should be a list of workers’ compensation-approved medical providers at your place of employment. Your employer can provide you with this list upon request. You will need to tell the treating physician that your injury is work-related and that it will be covered by workers’ compensation, so it can be billed accordingly. Without workers’ compensation, you could be caught with thousands of dollars in medical bills from one injury or illness. Coverage For Missed Work Lost wages are covered by workers’ compensation as well. When these benefits are payable are dependent on the state laws where you are employed. In some states, workers’ comp kicks in on day three. In other states, you might have to miss a consecutive week of work. However, after you have missed the minimum required days, you should receive about two-thirds of your regular pay. After your claim is approved, you should receive your first check within 14 days. However, there are many legitimate workers’ comp claims that are denied. In these cases, an appeal must be filed, and additional evidence must be presented in support of the claim to get benefits approved. Maintaining Evidence For Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Your workers’ compensation claim could be challenging. You must maintain documentation to support your claim. Evidence that you should keep includes a copy of the accident report, copies of medical bills, copies of physician notes and excuses for work, documentation showing missed work and lost wages, and statements from any witnesses. As soon as possible, while the incident is fresh in your memory, you should jot down notes containing details about the accident and how you were injured. Take photos of your visible injuries. Consult with a workers’ compensation lawyer, who can help you build a strong case to receive the benefits you are entitled to in such situations. Consult With A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer If you have been injured at work, you should consult with a workers’ compensation lawyer. Workers’ comp claims can be challenging, and especially if you must file an appeal, you will need experienced legal counsel gathering documentation and building your claim. A lawyer can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Don’t risk losing access to much-needed benefits. Time is of the essence because a statute of limitations applies. If you are too late in filing your claim, you could lose access to all benefits that you are entitled to receive. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page, so a lawyer in your state can review your case and determine the best way for you to win your workers’ compensation claim. Additional Resources Can I Be Terminated If I File For Workers' Compensation? Free Case Evaluation
