Workers’ Compensation Claims Process

Employees should be able to rely on reasonably safe workplaces. However, accidents and injuries can happen in any location and in any industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, one recent year saw more than 2.6 million non-fatal injuries in the workplace. 

When you’ve been hurt at work, you deserve justice. 

Fortunately, most workers in the United States are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Many employers are legally required to carry this type of insurance coverage to help their workers recover after an injury. 

The workers’ compensation claims process is complex. For this reason, many injured employees find it difficult to get the benefits that they’re legally entitled to. 

If you’ve been injured while on the job, reach out to a knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer to pursue a claim for benefits. The skilled legal team at Morgan and Morgan has decades of experience fighting for injury victims—and winning. 

Without the help of a workers’ compensation lawyer, it can be challenging to get the money you need to recover. Don’t allow an insurance provider to devalue your injury claim. 

Workers nationwide are susceptible to falling mishaps, traumatic brain injury, and repetitive motion injuries. Hurt employees should not be burdened with financial losses after they get injured. 

To consult with a workers’ compensation lawyer at Morgan & Morgan, complete the simple contact form on our website today.

Understanding the Workers’ Compensation Claims Process

The specifics of filing a workers’ comp claim are different in various states. For this reason, it is important to speak with a legal professional following a workplace injury. 

In most cases, the injured party is required to notify their employer and the relevant insurance company. There are several important steps to recovering the money you need following a workplace injury. These include:

Seek a Medical Assessment

When you’ve been injured, your health and well-being should be the priority. If an accident results in a medical emergency, seek treatment immediately.  

If the injury is not an emergency, you should still consult with a medical professional. In some states and under some policies, injured employees are required to see specific physicians. 

Speak with your supervisor about the medical requirements under their workers’ compensation policy. Many states allow employees to seek a second opinion if they’re not satisfied with their initial diagnosis. 

Some claimants do not believe their injury is severe enough to warrant medical attention. But no matter how minor your workplace injury may be, it’s critical to seek medical care.  

The medical records and doctor’s notes from your visit will function as an official record. To recover the full amount that you deserve, it’s helpful to have as much evidence as possible. 

Notify Your Manager or Supervisor

One of the most important steps in successfully recovering the earned benefits is notifying your employer about your accident. If possible, let them know about the accident or injury as soon as it happens. 

However, some work-related injuries and illnesses develop slowly over time. If that’s the case, you should tell your supervisor about your workplace injury as soon as you become aware of it. That way, you’ll be more likely to get the earned benefits you need.  

Some states place a 30-day time limit on notifying your employer. Failing to report your accident or injury in time could result in the denial of benefits. To avoid that, speak with the trusted workers’ compensation lawyers at Morgan and Morgan. Our team will help you take the right steps to pursue a successful claim. 

The sooner you notify your supervisor of your workplace accident or injury, the better. Even if you do not believe an on-the-job accident resulted in significant physical damage, it’s a good idea to report it. 

Make sure to submit your notification of the injury in writing. Even if you tell your supervisor about the accident verbally, you should provide a written notification. This written notification will serve as an official record, and a workers’ compensation lawyer can use it as evidence in your earned benefits claim.

Complete the Relevant Claims Form

When you report your accident or injury, your employer should provide you with an official workers’ compensation claim form. If they don’t offer one, you can request it from your state’s workers’ compensation bureau.  

In most cases, these forms require claimants to provide certain information, such as: 

• The type of accident or mishap
• The names of the involved parties
• The nature and severity of the injury
• A description of how the accident occurred
• The time, date, and location of the accident
• Details about medical treatments you received 

These facts will help the relevant parties determine the validity of your workers’ compensation claim. In some instances, it’s helpful to have a tort attorney oversee the completion of this claim form. 

Speak With a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

After you have submitted the claim form, your employer is required to pass the claim along to their insurer. However, many injury victims do not recover the money they’re rightfully entitled to.  

Having a skilled legal representative fight for you will give you the highest probability of recovering workers’ compensation payments. The regulations surrounding workers’ compensation insurance vary by state. 

The team at Morgan & Morgan represents clients nationwide. We can help you navigate the complexities of the workers’ compensation claims process in your state. 

A trustworthy Morgan and Morgan lawyer will manage the following elements of your workers’ comp case: 

• Collecting evidence
• Meeting all relevant deadlines
• Pursuing eyewitness statements
• Negotiating with uncooperative insurance adjusters
• Drafting and submitting required workers’ comp documents

If your application for earned benefits is wrongfully denied, our knowledgeable team can help you appeal the decision. You should not be stuck with the medical and financial costs resulting from an on-the-job accident or injury.