While working out on the job, you may sustain an injury. If you don't think you are responsible for this injury taking place, you might be able to get workers' compensation. To help you deal with this injury process, this information is important to know.
Eligibility
Before doing anything drastic, you need to know if you are eligible for workers' comp benefits. As long as the injury happened on the job, your company is required to pay for your injuries. Even if you were careless or didn't do your job correctly, you are still entitled to these benefits. There are some exceptions, though.
In the past, courts have ruled against workers who were intoxicated or started a fight at work. Self-inflicted accidents – injuries that were caused on purpose – are not covered as well.
Filing Process
After finding out if you have the right to receive benefits, you need to start the filing process. As soon as you get injured, report the accident to the manager on duty or the person with the highest authority. Do this as quickly as possible, because if you wait too long, the benefits may be denied.
Once the accident has been reported, your employer should hand you forms to fill out. It is your employer's responsibility to file these papers to the appropriate insurance carrier. You should then file a separate set of forms to your workers' compensation agency. The sooner you fill everything out – the sooner you can move on with your life.
Workers' Compensation Attorney
If your company fails to report the accident, or they believe you weren't injured in the first place, you need to contact a workers' comp attorney as quickly as possible. This professional can advise you on what to do, such as staying off social media, getting all of the forms filled out and being as truthful as possible.
Your attorney can gather all of the appropriate evidence – whether it's feed from security cameras or witnesses that saw the accident take place. They can help you prove that the accident did take place, so you can receive compensation. Some types of compensation include medical care, death benefits, vocational rehabilitation and permanent disability.
Getting injured at work is not something ideal to experience, especially if the injury is severe. If you think you are entitled to workers' compensation, this information can help you out. It will help you get back to a regular life.
