You have a right to a safe work environment. Whether you work in an office behind a desk or on the ground at a construction site, there are hazards everywhere. This is why employers are generally required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance – so that you can be compensated if you are injured on the job.
However, you may find yourself denied compensation benefits if you do not take the appropriate steps in the appropriate timeframe. Keep reading to find out five steps you should take. If you are being denied your benefits, or if you believe your claim is being undervalued, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 to speak to an employment law attorney.
- Make Sure Your Employer Knows About Your Injury
- Get Medical Care
- Follow All Directions Your Doctor Gives You
- Do Not Put Off Filing Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
- Talk to a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
First and foremost, tell your employer about your injury. The good news about workers’ compensation is that it is not fault insurance, which means that even if the accident was the result of a mistake you made, it will cover you. Your employer is not legally allowed to punish you for reporting an injury.
If the injury was acute and you are in danger, call 911 or go to the emergency room. If you are dealing with a non-emergency injury or a chronic one such as a repetitive stress injury, you can go to your own doctor. It doesn’t matter who you visit but it does matter that you visit them. Failing to do so, or putting off doing so, can result in denial of your claim.
If you do not follow your doctor’s medical advice then your claim may be denied on the grounds that you did not take necessary steps to protect your own health and safety. Go to every appointment, take every medication you are prescribed, and document it all.
Depending on the specifics of your case, you may have just 30 days to file your claim. We recommend that you notify your employer right away so they can talk to their insurance company and get the workers’ compensation process started.
If your claim is approved right away then you can skip step five. However, if your claim is denied, or if it is complex and you need assistance filing it, talk to a workers’ compensation attorney. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker we are happy to start with a free legal consultation during which we can find the best way forward for you. Call us now at 800-333-0000 and we can get started right away.
