Have you been injured in the workplace and need to file for workers compensation?
You aren’t alone in this process. In 2017 there were more than $47 million in workers compensation payments that were paid out.
If this is your first time filing a claim, then you may not know what to do. This post will walk you through the process.
Follow the steps below to submit your workmans comp claim.
1. Notify Your Employer
If you get injured at work, you need to let your employer know. You need to know if workers compensation covers the injury you sustained.
When you report your injury, and you qualify to report it for compensation, your employer will be able to tell you how to proceed. They should have all the paperwork required for you to file a report.
The time you have to notify your employer varies by state, so don’t wait to make a report.
2. Get Checked by a Doctor
To file your workers compensation claim correctly, you need to know your exact injuries. You need to head to a doctor to get checked over so they can make a report.
In some cases, employers will require you to see a specific workers comp doctor. Doing this is usually fine, but you can get checked over for a second opinion if you don’t agree with the doctor they require you to use.
3. Get the Paperwork Filled Out
Once you get the paperwork from your employer and get checked out by a doctor, it’s time to fill out the paperwork for your claim. The forms you fill out will depend on your type of injury, your state, and your employer’s insurance provider.
Once you finish your paperwork, you can hand it back to your employer. They will hand everything to the insurance company so they can determine your benefits.
4. Wait for Your Decision
Once your paperwork is submitted, it becomes a waiting game. During this time, follow up with your doctor and continue any medial work to treat your injury.
It usually takes between two and four weeks to get your results. If this process takes longer, you will need to follow up with your claim.
By law, insurance companies can’t take too long with this process. If they do, they’re at risk of having to approve your claim automatically.
5. Get Your Claim Results
Once you get your claim, you need to decide what to do. If your claim is approved, you will have a few options available to you.
You can receive your payout in a lump sum or get it over time. This money will cover any medical costs, lost wages, and disability payments.
If the insurance company denies your claim, you can try to appeal it. Your choices are to file it yourself or contact an attorney that specializes in workers compensation claims.
Do Your Workmans Comp Claim Right
Filing a claim for workers’ compensation doesn’t have to be hard, but you can do things the wrong way. Make sure you submit your workmans comp claim the right way so that you can get the compensation you deserve.
Once you go through the process, you need to improve safety at your workplace. Head over to our articles section to learn about workplace safety and how it can be improved.
