Getting injured on the job can be an extremely traumatic experience. It’s nothing anyone plans for. Your medical bills will start lining up and often times the insurance company doesn’t pay out as they should. It’s unfair. The workers compensation insurance policy is meant to cover employees with wage replacement and medical expenses. Other things may be covered under insurance as well.
It’s essential to know what are the deadlines when dealing with workers compensation so that you can attend to this timely matter. Your case may be thrown out if you don’t adhere to the deadlines. It’s also essential to know what your employer is obligated to do on their part as well as common misconceptions about workers compensation.
As mentioned previously, workers compensation is a very timely matter. You will only have 30 days to give a written notice of your work related injury to your employer. You only have one year to file a workers compensation claim against your employer’s insurance. For your workplace injury, you must have a clear and specific date to use. If you suffer from something that may not have a clear date such as repetitive stress injury, then make sure you document the first day you missed work due to that injury. You can also use the date where the doctor has seen you for that injury.
After receiving notice of your injury, they must provide you with a claim form. They are required to authorize medical treatment when your claim is pending. This medical treatment can be up to $10,000. If your employer does not reject your claim within 90 days, then it is presumed covered.
It is a common misconception that workers compensation only covers medical bills. This is not true. Workers compensation will also pay you a percentage of your pre-injury salary. If you have to endure physical therapy due to your injury, workers compensation will cover that as well. Workers compensation may also cover assistance with your training on a different occupation if you are unable to return back to your previous employer due to the injury.
It is another common misconception that you need to be a full-time employee in order to receive workers compensation. This is not a factor in determining workers compensation. The only essential component is that you are on your employer’s payroll. You can be a part-time employee, seasonal, freelance or any other type of arrangement and still receive workers compensation if you are injured on the job.
When you get injured on the job it can be stressful. You now have to incur medical bills and you’re also out of work. Oftentimes insurance companies don’t have your best interests in mind. They are looking out for themselves. Law Offices of Kropach & Kropach are experienced in workers compensation and want to make sure you’re getting treated fairly and justly. Schedule a free initial consultation using the contact form on the bottom of this page or by calling 818-609-7005.
