In every state, employers with more than 50 workers should get workers’ compensation insurance to protect the workers. When you are injured at work, you are entitled to get benefits to compensate for your injuries. However, you give up your right to file a lawsuit against your employer for injuries that are covered by the workers’ compensation laws. There are different steps that you should take after the work-related accident to recover full benefits for the injuries suffered. Read on to learn all the things that you need to know about workplace injuries and compensation.
Causes of Workplace Injuries
Workplace injuries are caused by different things such as slip and fall, defective equipment, poor lighting, and others. Under the workers’ compensation law, every employee who is injured at work is eligible to get compensation. Even if you contribute to the accident, you are covered by the workers’ compensation insurance. You are entitled to get benefits for your injuries, loss of income, pain, and suffering. The severity of your injuries determines the settlement that you can get.
Report the Injury
You should report the workplace accident to your supervisor who in turn writes a report. Your manager should give you some forms to complete, and these are mailed to the workers’ compensation board in your local area. It is crucial to document everything and get details that can help support your claim. If possible, you can take photos at the accident scene and also try to get more information from the witnesses. In most cases, all workplace injuries are treated the same, and no fault is considered. However, some insurance companies may deny your claim if it lacks credibility, so you must document everything that you remember.
Seek Medical Attention
After an injury at work, you should immediately seek treatment even if you do not feel any pain. Some injuries are not immediately apparent, so it may be difficult to file a claim at a later stage. Your doctor will write a medical report that is used to determine the benefits that you should get. If you decide to visit your doctor, you should inform your employer. The employers have their network of physicians that you should visit after work-related injuries. However, if you need additional care, you can see another doctor. The other thing that you should do is to follow your doctor’s instructions to avoid losing your benefits.
Consult a Lawyer
One thing that you should know about the workers’ compensation system is that you give up your rights to sue the employer for any work-related accident. However, you still need to consult an attorney to get legal advice about how you can pursue your claim. The worker’s comp wa attorneys have experience in dealing with similar issues so they can help you fill the claim forms. You may also need the services of your lawyer if the employer denies giving you the compensation that you deserve. The employees are protected by the law so that they are not victimized by the employer should they decide to file a lawsuit.
Appeal a Denial
While the employees are not expected to sue their employers under the provisions of the workers’ compensation system, there are exceptions where they can file lawsuits. For instance, if the insurance company denies giving you the benefits that you deserve, you can file lawsuit at a court of law. However, before you take this step, you should request a hearing with the workers’ compensation board to review your claim. You should avoid the temptation of falsifying information since this can compromise your claim.
Statute of Limitations
You must know that in every state, there is a deadline to file a workers’ compensation claim. The statute of limitations varies by place, so you should consult your attorney to avoid delays. If you fail to file your compensation claim within the required period, you lose your legal rights to get the benefits you deserve.
Workplace injuries are common, and they are caused by various factors such as defective equipment and others. In some cases, the employee’s negligence can also contribute to their injury, but the fault is not an issue. Under the workers’ compensation law, every employer should get workers’ compensation insurance to protect the workers. Therefore, if you are hurt at work, you are entitled to get benefits for your injuries. However, there are specific steps that you should take to receive a settlement. You should report the accident to your supervisor and seek medication. You may also need to consult your lawyer to help you fill the claim forms or appeal a denial.