What if you suffer an injury at work? Workers’ compensation must pay your salary and all medical expenses related to your treatment. It’s important to consider that this remuneration is a type of insurance, not directly paid by your employer.
To prevent your claim from being rejected by the insurance company, be sure to complete all the required information. If this condition is not met, there is a risk that the insurance company will not accept your claim and refuse to pay your compensation.
This is especially important in case of catastrophic injuries and others such as herniated disk injuries, back and neck injuries, or even brain injuries.
Workers’ compensation laws vary depending on the state, but if you ever have an accident or injury at work, follow the following recommendations to increase your chances of being compensated:
About the doctor’s opinions
Some states allow you to see your own doctor, but others require you to see a doctor approved by the insurance company. Even if these doctors are not direct employees, their opinion may be biased because it represents the interests of the insurance company.
If they suspect that the injury was caused by any other factor unrelated to work, they will deny your request.
For example, if you injured your knee at work, you don’t need to tell the doctor that the injury dates back years, even if your knee hasn’t been a problem since. The important thing is that it was injured at work, so you should not omit that fact.
Report your injury as soon as you can
Depending on the state, you may only have 30 days to file your claim. Even if some states give more time (in some, you have up to 2 years to file a claim), you should report your injury as soon as possible so that all details of the incident are correct; any missing or incorrect information could prevent the complaint from being accepted.
This also allows them to treat you right away, relieving your pain and ensuring that the injury does not get worse. As a general rule, I’d better report your injury the same week as the incident. When filing your claim, be sure to get copies of all forms your employer has filled out.
Keep your medical records
In addition to the worker’s pay forms, be sure to get a copy of your medical file every time you visit your doctor. If it comes to trial, your lawyer will be able to use these records to build a case quickly, as it would not be necessary to ask the insurance company to send you copies.
This would delay the process. Additionally, some doctors or insurers may lose documents, which can lengthen their appeal and remuneration. Be sure to get all your forms, including copies of your MRI, X-rays, and medical interpretations, as these documents will support your case.
If you need more information about the state of Georgia regulations related to worker compensation, visit this link.