When you have been involved in a serious accident, it is crucial to not only understand your rights, but to exercise caution when you talk with anyone. You should be able to work with a professional attorney to move forward with getting the settlement you need to heal and recover, although many people don't see it that way.
Choosing a new attorney could be the difference between getting a great settlement and watching possibilities slip out of your fingers. On this blog, learn more about what it means to work with a new lawyer, and how they could help you to start on the road to recovery.
Don't Mess Up Your Chances for Workers' Compensation Coverage
Hurt workers are entitled to some valuable benefits from their employer's insurance. Workers' comp pays workers hurt in a work-related accident (or suffering from an occupational illness) a partial wage as well as medical expenses. Should the incident prove to be permanent, the hurt worker may be in line for a lump-sum settlement and further rehabilitation benefits. You can, perhaps unintentionally, mess up your chances for help if you are not careful. Read on so that you can avoid doing that.
Go to the Doctor
You can go to the nearest emergency room, your own family doctor, or an urgent care provider. At this stage, you are free to see anyone as long as you do so as soon as possible. Later, you might be asked to use a special workers' comp doctor. Not seeking medical care means you have zero chances to gain workers' comp benefits.
Link Your Injury to Your Job
It's vital to make it clear from the very beginning that your injury is directly related to your job. Let the doctor know in no uncertain terms exactly how your affliction came about and how it's affecting your ability to work. You don't want to create any doubt about the connection between your current medical state and the job.
Ensure a Claim Form Gets Filed
Since workers' comp matters vary by the state, you may need to find out who is responsible for filing a claim from your state's workers' comp board website or by phone. In many cases, your supervisor is the reporting party. Even so, it's important to follow up and make sure the form gets submitted. You will probably be asked to sign the claim form and be sure you read it thoroughly before you do that. Pay close attention to details like names, times, dates, and more. If there is room for a statement, be sure you accurately describe the way the incident is related to work. In some states, the doctor is responsible for completing a form as well.
Don't Let Fault Distract You
In personal injury claims, fault plays a role. In workers' comp accidents, it doesn't matter at all. No matter the reason for the accident, you are eligible for benefits. For example, if you were not at your best because you're getting over a virus, you might accidentally hurt yourself on the assembly line. Workers' comp is no-fault and only certain rare issues will negate your claim. Being at-fault is not a bar for receiving benefits.
The sooner you seek help from a workers' comp lawyer the more likely you can have a successful claim. Speak to a lawyer about your case today.