When you suffer from a workplace accident or illness, you should be provided with coverage. Workers' compensation insurance is available to nearly all injured workers at no cost. This coverage offers valuable benefits, like medical care and paid time off, as long as you follow the rules for filing a claim. In some cases, things don't go as you would like with your workers' compensation claim, so read on for more information.

Take action quickly

To ensure you get your claim approved, be sure that you do the following:

  1. Seek medical care and keep good records of those visits, procedures, medications, and more.
  2. Let your direct supervisor know about the injury or illness as soon as possible and follow through to ensure that a claim is filed on your behalf.

Signs of Problems

Experiencing any of the below issues could be an indicator that your claim process is not going smoothly and that you may need to seek the services of a workers' compensation lawyer.

1. Your supervisor has not filed a claim after several days, and they seem to be reluctant to do so.

2. Your supervisor or the carrier is insisting that your injury occurred off-site, was preexisting, or was unrelated to your job entirely. If you were on company business at the time, you should be covered.

3. You have a more severe injury, such as a head injury, amputation, spinal injury, or severe burn. If you have permanent injuries, you are entitled to a lifelong compensation package.

4. You have received a denial or notice of adverse action from the workers' compensation carrier or from your state's workers' compensation board.

5. Your injury is such that you are unable to property handle the claim and its many issues. You may need someone to advocate and take the burden off of you.

6. You have been told that you must return to work or risk losing your job.

7. Your benefits have been cut-off, and you are still too hurt or sick to return to your job.

8. You have a mental health condition caused by or made worse by your job. These conditions are often covered but are more challenging to prove.

9. You have a repetitive stress condition, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, or you have been slowly exposed to a toxic substance over a long period of time.

A workers' comp lawyer will know what benefits you are entitled to receive and will know how to get them for you. In the case of a settlement, you will need help negotiating for the best possible compensation that is delivered to you in the most prudent manner. Speak to a workers comp attorney and get help today.

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