Legal Help When Buying and Selling Property

5 Tips To Help Ensure You Get Your Workers' Compensation Benefits

4 March 2016 by Louise Boyd

If you've been injured on the job, you will likely need to file a claim for workers' compensation benefits. These benefits will help pay for medical expenses, put food on the table and more until you can recover and get back to your job. However, insurance companies – as well as employers – are always looking for ways to minimize what they have to pay out. So, to improve your chances of having your claim approved, follow these general tips:

1. Immediately Report the Injury.

Once you've suffered an injury at work, it is imperative that you report said injury as soon as you can. After all, the law requires that work-related injuries be reported within 30 days or less, depending on where you live. While you may not be 100 percent denied benefits because you went over the time period, it may make things difficult and there will be a higher chance of denial.

2. Make a List of Witness Names.

Is there anyone that saw the incident? Anyone that saw you get injured while at work? If so, take down their names. If it comes down to it, and you need to prove that you were indeed injured on-the-job, these witnesses can work in your favor.

3. Seek Medical Attention.

Even if you feel like you are fine, you should make an appointment with your family doctor. If you fail to do so, and later file for workers' compensation benefits, the insurance company may assume that you weren't seriously hurt, which could drastically hurt your claim. Also, if your doctor says that you need to go to a physical therapist or another type of specialist, make the appointments and attend every single one. If you don't, this can hurt you just as much as not seeking medical treatment in the first place.

4. Explain the Injury and How It Happened.

Often times, workers' comp claims are denied because the medical records did not adequately describe the injury and the accident. To an extent, this is on your doctor. However, it is your job to explain it to them in such detail that allows them to create accurate and thorough records. Make sure you tell them that you need detailed records in case you seek workers' compensation benefits.

5. Be Consistent.

Since insurance companies are trying to dupe you out of money that you are likely deserving of, they will try to trip you up and get you to contradict a statement that you've previously made. Therefore, it is important that you ensure you are consistent with all of your statements to every single person that you speak to. Don't tell your boss that the accident occurred this way and then tell your health care provider that it happened a completely different way. Otherwise, this is going to drastically hurt your case.

If you've been denied workers' compensation benefits wrongfully or you need help ensuring you fill out all the necessary paperwork accurately, reach out to a workers' compensation attorney like http://ransomgilbertson.com/ for professional help in the matter. 

Share