Workers compensation can be an invaluable program for an employee who is injured in a work-related accident. However, it’s not the simplest program to navigate and understand.
I’ve been injured at work — what’s next?
The first thing to do after being involved in an accident at work is to seek medical attention if necessary. Employers are legally required to allow injured employees to seek medical care. If the employer does not provide a medical professional on the job site, or if the employee’s injury is too severe to be treated on site, they must allow the employee to seek medical care elsewhere.
After receiving care for your injury, make sure you inform your employer about the incident. Many workers comp lawyers would suggest doing this in writing (such as an email) so that you have a record of the conversation.
If you want to file a workers compensation claim, your employer will have to file a claim with their workers comp provider and you will also be required to file a claim. If an employer pays into a workers compensation policy, they must allow an injured employee to file a claim with their provider. Because their policy rates could increase when employees file claims, some employers have been known to discourage or prohibit employees from doing so. This is illegal. If you believe your employer has tried to prevent you from filing a valid workers compensation claim, don’t hesitate to contact a workers comp lawyer immediately.
Coverage Through Workers Compensation
Many different injuries could be covered through workers compensation. Some of the more common types of injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations, burns, and other superficial injuries
- Injuries from long-term physical strain or stress (commonly called repetitive stress injuries)
- Diseases from exposure to chemicals
- Pre-existing injuries that worsened due to work-related tasks
In many cases, successful claims provide financial compensation for medical costs related to the injury as well as losses accrued from the individual’s inability to work. Workers compensation might not provide complete compensation; more often, injured workers receive a percentage of their losses. A workers compensation lawyer can help you determine the amount of coverage you may be eligible to receive.
If you believe that the workers comp provider hasn’t offered the whole amount you are entitled to, it’s recommended that you speak with a lawyer before accepting any money. You’ll likely lose the ability to file an appeal if you accept any money from the insurer. Furthermore, workers compensation policies generally prohibit workers from filing personal injury civil suits against their employer after filing a workers compensation claim — even if their claim was ultimately denied. It’s important to understand which restrictions may apply to your situation before you file any paperwork.
Schedule a Case Evaluation With a Workers Compensation Lawyer
Workers compensation is not the easiest program to understand, especially if you’re trying to recover from an injury or illness. In the event that you feel that you need legal advice, do not hesitate to contact Milwaukee work injury lawyer at any time.
Thank you to Hickey & Turim SC for providing great insight on workers compensation.
