Listen to this articleThe latest U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics revealed that in 2018 there were 2.8 million illnesses and injuries that occurred in the workplace among private industry employers, about the same number as the previous year. Among them, sprains, strains, and tears are particularly common, but no matter what the illness or injury suffered on the job, workers’ compensation can provide benefits that include coverage for lost wages and medical payments.
While fatalities aren’t nearly as common, there were 5,250 workers who died on the job in 2018. If a fatality occurs due to a work-related injury or illness, it can provide benefits to the deceased employee’s beneficiaries who will then need to file a claim.
If you’re injured or become ill because of your work-related duties, after seeking any necessary medical treatment, here’s how to file for workers comp.
Notify Your Employer
It’s critical to notify your employer as soon as possible that an illness or injury has occurred. There is a deadline to report, with the length of time dependent on the state in which you live – in some states you have just three days. This is why it’s so critical to report all accidents or illnesses related to your job – if the deadline passes and you realize later that there is a real problem, you’ll still be able to file a claim. While you can notify your employer verbally, it also needs to be in writing and include how the incident occurred, the date/time if applicable, the type of injury or illness it is, and any medical treatment you’ve received.
Your employer will provide you with the necessary paperwork to fill out to file the claim. You’ll return it to your employer and then it will be sent off to the insurer and the state board of workers comp. Keep in mind that it is illegal for an employer to seek retaliation against an employee for filing a claim – if you have any problems during the process, you’ll want an attorney. Do a Google search on workers’ compensation lawyer Pittsburgh, or in whichever city you live and make an appointment asap.
Stay Organized
It’s important to stay organized throughout the workers’ comp process. Be sure to get medical treatment if it’s recommended by a doctor. Assuming your claim is approved, compensation will cover the cost of all treatments that related to your workplace injury or illness. It’s a good idea to keep all receipts, medical bills and other records well-organized, and keep notes as to how the incident is affecting your ability to work and your personal life too. You’ll want as much proof of any injury-related hardships as possible, as you can be compensated for those as well.
Claim Status Notification
After filing, the insurer will evaluate your claim and then you’ll receive a notification as to whether or not it is accepted. You may be given an offer to pay for medical and/or disability costs or a denial of your request. If your claim is denied, you can request that the insurer review its decision, or appeal. Having plenty of documentation, and an attorney at your side, will make the process easier and increase the odds of success.
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