Workplace injuries are more common than you think. Every year, there are close to three million injuries that happen in the workplace. While those injuries may not be serious in many cases, there are times when you’ll need help and file an insurance claim.
There are some critical steps you need to take when you file workers’ comp claims. Follow the guide below to ensure you do things right.
Notify Your Employer
You can’t go through the workers’ compensation process on your own. This process must be done through your employer since they carry the workers’ compensation insurance. That’s why notifying your employer is the first step in dealing with your work-related injuries.
As soon as your injury is taken care of, notify your employer of what happened. Once you tell your employer about your injury, they should start the claim filing process. You’ll receive the workers’ comp claim documents to fill out once the notification is complete.
Just don’t wait too long to notify your employer and get these documents. You won’t be able to file a claim if you go past your claim filing deadline.
Fill Your Claim Form
The next step of the workers’ comp process is to fill out your claim form. This form will contain all the relevant information to your case. You’ll include your injury, how it happened, expenses you have, and any other relevant information.
Try not to leave out any information if you want to maximize your chance of a successful claim. If there were any witnesses to the accident, include them in your claim. Also, include any information that points to negligence to ensure you don’t get blamed for an accident your employer claims is your fault.
Once you fill in your information, hand the form back to your employer. They’ll file your claim with the insurance company.
Wait for Your Results
It’s a waiting game once your company files your insurance claim. Luckily, this is something that shouldn’t take too long. Insurance companies are required by law to give an expedited response because they could end up with a default judgment in your favor if they take too long.
However, don’t just sit back and relax during this period. Track additional expenses, lost wages, and other expenses resulting from your injury. This is all compensation you can claim when you get your settlement.
Accept Your Settlement
The final step of the compensation process is to accept the settlement result. In most cases, you won’t have a problem with the settlement. The insurance company will pay what you need to get help.
However, there may be times when insurance companies don’t do the right thing and deny your claim or fail to give you an adequate settlement. If you’re in this situation, you may need to get help from a workers comp lawyer to challenge the claim result.
Now You Know How to File Workers’ Comp Claims
You can’t afford to do things the wrong way when you’re stuck with medical issues after an accident at work. There’s a process you need to go through to file workers’ comp claims if you want to get your settlement. Remember the guide above in the future to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Do you want to read more tips that will help you deal with more situations at the workplace? Check out the blog for more helpful employee advice.
