A Step By Step Guide To Filing A Worker’s Comp Claim
The worker’s compensation system exists for the protection of injured and disabled workers. While this is a noble goal, it can be difficult to navigate when trying to submit a claim.
How To File For Workmen’s Insurance Claim
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you file your workmens insurance claim.
- Notify Your Employer
The sooner you inform your employer about your injury, the better. You must notify your employer within a statutory deadline if you are injured. Your notification deadline might be as short as 30 days or even less.
If you were involved in an accident at work, you should still report it even if you do not feel injured. It will enable you to file a claim still even if it turns out that you were injured after all.
It’s not enough to give a verbal notification here – you’ll need to send it in writing too. Follow up with a written notice after providing an initial verbal notification. The written report will be an official record if you file a claim. Also, getting this step done as soon as possible is crucial so you can remember everything about the accident. Waiting too long can make it hard to explain exactly what happened.
- Get Medical Attention
After notifying your employer of your injury, seek medical attention. You’ll have a better chance of recovering if you receive treatment immediately. In most states, you must also prove that you are receiving treatment before filing for workers’ compensation.
Depending on the company’s compensation policy, you may be required to see a particular doctor. Generally, you can get a second opinion if the prescribed doctor fails to work out.
- File The Workers’ Compensation Claim
Your employer should provide you with any necessary forms once you report your injury. Your state’s workers’ compensation board will need to provide one if they don’t. This form usually asks for the following information:
- The type and location of the injury
- Location, time, and date of injury
- Others involved in the event
- An explanation of what happened
- The medical care you have received so far
After you’ve submitted the form, your employer will take care of the rest. Your employer must file your claim with their insurer and the state workers’ compensation board. Failure to comply could result in a fine, a criminal charge, or a lawsuit.
After the insurance company assesses the claim, they will notify you whether your claim has been accepted. You will then discover how much compensation you will receive.
- Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If the insurance company denies the worker’s comp claim, the employee needs to hire an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer to help with the appeal. If the employee files an appeal without a lawyer, it will be difficult for them to win the claim. The insurance company will send a trained lawyer to the appeal to defend them against workers’ comp claims.
If the employee hires a lawyer, the lawyer will be familiar with the appeals process and can help the employee win the appeal. Employees should start the appeals process immediately after the insurance company denies the claim. Waiting too long to file an appeal will make winning the appeal more difficult.
Summing up
Most workers will experience an injury or illness at some point in their careers. In this situation, workmen’s insurance benefits can help cover the cost of medical treatment, lost wages, and other expenses related to the injury or illness.
