Are you someone who has lately suffered from a work-related illness or injury? If you answered yes, you are liable to receive workers’ compensation benefits that may include a path of lost wages, your medical bills, and your permanent disability benefits in case the injury led to long-lasting and life-altering changes.
The workers’ compensation claim process is different for every insured worker and employer but that doesn’t mean that it is an intimidating task. There are a few steps involved in claiming your workers’ compensation benefits and we will give you a list of some of these steps. Keep reading to know more.
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The Employee has to Report the Illness or Injury
This is the first step where the process of claiming your compensation benefits kick-off. In case the employee is hurt while on the job, he instantly has to report the injury or illness to the employer. When this injury is reported, all sorts of details pertaining to the injury should be mentioned. You should include the day and time during which it happened, the kind of injury sustained, and where it happened. Employers should ensure employees are aware of who they should report the injury.
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The Employee Obtains Medical Facilities
As long as medical treatment is concerned, this will depend on the extent of the injury sustained. When it is not a serious injury, the initial first aid treatment can be sufficient. On the other hand, if the injury is critical, the victim should seek immediate treatment. You have to understand that the method in which medical treatment for workplace injuries works can vary from one state to another. However, throughout the whole process of a workers’ compensation claim, the claim adjuster is supposed to work with the victim in order to assemble the required medical documents and guarantee timely payment of compensation benefits.
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The Employer has to Report the Employee’s Injury
As the employee is done with reporting his injury to the employer, it is now the duty of the employer to report it and offer the required documents to their workers’ compensation carrier. the workers’ compensation carrier will ask you to provide the following documents:
- Employee details
- Job details of the employee
- Injury details
- Employer details
- Work-related information
- Medical care information
According to the rules of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), employers are supposed to report any fatality cases within 8 hours and cases like loss of an eye or amputation within 24 hours.
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Carrier Denies or Accepts the Claim
Now that you’re done with all your tasks, it is time for the carrier to make a decision on whether to accept or deny the claim. There will be an entire investigation of the case and this is often done by receiving a statement from the injured worker. Eyewitnesses play a vital role in helping the carrier decide whether to accept or deny the claim.
So, if you’re an employer who is looking forward to workers’ compensation coverage, try and find a worthy and reputable agent who has your best interests in mind.
