If you are hurt on the job, one of the protections that is in place to help you is workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation has a specific claims process.
As an employee, it is your responsibility to report if you have been injured on the job. You need to notify your employer of your injury and seek medical attention. If you don’t seek medical attention within the time limits that are set by law, then you could lose your right to a claim.
What happens after you report an injury to your employer?
After you report your injury to your employer, your employer will file a First Report of Injury form with the workers’ compensation insurer. There is a waiting period before benefits for lost time begins, which your employer can inform you of upon request. When there is lost time, the insurer will accept or deny the claim based on its contents. If the claim is denied, then you will have an opportunity to appeal that decision. If it is approved, you’ll begin receiving benefits in line with the policy.
What should you do if the claim is denied?
When a claim is denied, the insurer will inform you of the reason. You can take this denial letter to your attorney to talk about ways to address the denial and make an appeal. You may need to provide more medical information, information about the accident that took place or further evidence to support your claim. Your attorney can talk to you more about building up your appeal so that you have a good chance of success.