Avoid These Common Workers Comp Mistakes
If you get a work-related injury or illness, it is important that you follow certain protocols so that you can get medical coverage and benefits for your injury. Your company should have workers' compensation, which helps to pay for care and recovery as long as the injury was indeed related to your occupation. Make sure you avoid these common mistakes when handling the injury.
Not Informing Your Employer
One of the first things you should do after you get injured at work is to tell your employer, whether that is your direct supervisor or the human resources department. If it is an emergency, getting emergency care is more important, but otherwise, you need to make sure your employer knows. They will know what you need to do next, including telling you about the right doctor to see and what paperwork needs to be filled out.
Waiting Too Long to File For Workers Compensation
You should also know that there is typically a short period of time during which you can apply for workers' compensation benefits before they will no longer apply. If you wait too long to fill out the paperwork and send it in, you might be denied benefits, and it can be difficult to get them even with a good lawyer. Your employer should let you know the number of days you have to file, so it is important you take care of this right away.
Failing to See the Proper Workers' Comp Doctor
While you may see your own doctor when you first get the injury, your employer will let you know about a workers' compensation doctor you need to see if you want care covered for the injury. This doctor works directly with the workers' compensation insurance company, so they know what paperwork to file and send over in regards to your injury and recovery. If you continue seeing your own doctor and refuse to see the workers' comp doctor, you can be denied benefits.
Not Getting a Lawyer When Needed
If there are any issues with getting benefits you feel you deserve for the work-related injury, you should get an attorney specializing in workers' compensation or commercial insurance cases. They will gather evidence from your employer and your doctor and consult with the insurance company to figure out why you are being denied benefits. The lawyer can also help if you need to re-file for workers' compensation if you were denied originally. Contact a law firm like The Reed Noble Law Firm PLLC to learn more about how a workers' compensation attorney can help you.