In 2019 alone, about 2.8 million employees were injured on the job. Regardless of where you work, there’s always a chance that you could get into a work-related accident and sustain injuries. When this happens, employees are entitled to compensation and are legally allowed to file a workers’ compensation claim.
The thing is, getting a workers’ compensation settlement you deserve can be harder than you’d think. Some employers and insurance companies can prove hard to deal with. They may do whatever they can to deny you the claim or leave you with a fraction of what you deserve in compensation.
So, the question is, how do you maximize your workers’ compensation settlement? How do you get as much as you deserve to take through these troubling times until you get better enough to work again? How do you get enough when you sustain temporary or permanent injuries and disabilities?
We’re going to look at an in-depth analysis of how you can go about it. We’ll list a step-by-step guide that will take you through getting the best compensation for your situation.
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Get Medical Attention Immediately
After sustaining workplace injuries, the most important thing you have to do is get medical attention. Getting prompt medical attention means you’ll get treatment and recover much faster.
In addition to that, it will serve as medical evidence for your workers’ comp claim. The doctor will describe your injuries on file as well as the physical restrictions that may prohibit you from working.
In most cases, insurance companies argue that failing to get medical treatment means the injuries were not serious enough. They could also claim that the injuries did not happen at all. So, this is something you want to do if you want to maximize your workers’ comp settlement.
Report the Accident and Injuries Immediately
One of the most significant reasons why a lot of people miss out on their workers’ compensation settlement is failure to report the accident immediately. It’s crucial that you report the accident and your injuries to your boss as soon as possible. Check how much time you have though most states have a deadline of 30 days.
If the deadline passes you by, you‘re most likely to lose out on the possibilities of collecting your workers’ compensation benefits. It’s also vital that you file your workers’ compensation claim officially immediately, as it also has a deadline. Check out these steps to take after a job injury.
Ensure Your Claim Is Legitimate
There are two major reasons why your workers’ compensation claim may be denied. The first reason is failing to report the incident, and the second is filing a fraudulent case. It’s vital for you to check whether your type of injury is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits before you file a claim.
On-the-job injuries, or any injuries sustained at your workplace, such as slip and falls or back injury, deserve compensation. Repetitive stress injuries at work from continuously repeating certain movements also qualify. Occupational illnesses such as exposure to chemicals and toxins that cause illnesses such as cancer also qualify.
Document the Case as You Go
Apart from notifying your employer of the accident and having medical records, there are several more things you need to document. When providing details about the accident to your employer, it’s important for you to write down what happened to avoid contradicting yourself later on. If you belong to a union, you also need to send them a report.
It’s important for you to keep track of the associated costs of the injuries and any paperwork accumulated after sustaining the injury. You can also keep out-of-pocket expenses that may be eligible for reimbursement. Case-in-point, keep you receipt for medication, medical expenses, and other day-to-day expenses as well.
Even more important than that, if you’ve decided to file a workers’ compensation claim, you need to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer. The steps above will drastically increase your chances of getting a better workers’ compensation settlement. Having a workers’ compensation lawyer, on the other hand, can be a complete game-changer.
Having a lawyer is beneficial in the sense that they know the ins and outs of the workers’ compensation law. They know how to deal with insurance company adjusters and how to go about different cases. They know how to maximize workers’ compensation settlements.
Be Wary of What You Say to the Doctor and Insurance Agent
When going through a claim, it’s important that you be wary of what you say to your doctor and your insurance company. When it comes to your doctor, be honest about how the injuries happened and how they are affecting your life. Be specific, be honest, and give them facts because what the doctor reports will influence how the insurance company settles your case.
When it comes to your insurance company, they’ll need you to give a statement on how the injuries occurred. They will use whatever information you give them to determine the settlement you deserve. They are most likely to use your statement against you if you say anything that could insinuate it wasn’t an accident.
They will use that information to deny your claim or give you a meager settlement. This makes it important for you to have your lawyer present when giving a recorded statement. They will advise you on what to say and what not to say to avoid jeopardizing your claim.
Be Ready for an Independent Medical Exam
The insurance company might request that you get an IME or Independent Medical Exam. This is an exam carried out by a doctor working for an insurance company. This means that the insurance company will ask for an evaluation from their trusted provider.
Getting the Most of Your Workers’ Compensation Settlement
Have you just sustained injuries at your workplace? Are you worried that your workers’ compensation claim will be denied? These are the steps you need to take to maximize your workers’ compensation settlement.
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