With a few exemptions, every state in the United States requires the employers to have or purchase workers’ compensation insurance.
Workers' Compensation laws are designed to ensure that employees who are injured or become ill or been disabled on the job are provided with monetary benefits, like payment for lost wages and payment of medical bills. This was a move to al least eliminate the need for litigation.
Through worker’s compensation insurance, the injured worker may file his or her claim directly with the insurance company, the latter being obligated to pay the medical and disability benefits as per their assumption of liability under the insurance policy.
Irrespective of the degree of the injury, whether it is minor or a major one, you must take the initiative to properly put it on record so that your claim would not become inutile.
The possibility of an injury to develop some complications is high, that is why a need to report the same is primordial.
There are varying stages or steps in filing a claim for worker’s compensation benefits. The stages are relative from different states.
There are different applications or pattern that insurance companies used in extending the benefits, but always in consideration to a state-approved formula.
When injury, illness mishaps have happened and a claim for worker’s compensation is at hand, the employee concerned should seek medical attention right away. Having attestation of the medical attendant is crucial in your claim for compensation.
The injured employee is required to give an official notice to its employer, which is usually coursed through the Human Resource department or direct supervisor.
The employer should be able to supply the required form in filing a claim with the insurance company.
After having trailed the aforesaid medical treatment and notification process, the employee may then file a claim with the Workers' Compensation office.
The whole process for a claim is complex and taxing.
On different score, aside from claiming benefits through the worker’s compensation method, the injured employee may bypass the latter method and instead claim directly with the employer.
In case the employer denies or dispute your claim, s proper suit may be filed in court. In the latter instance, full amount of damages may be recovered as well as other remuneration or form of compensation may be recovered.
Interestingly, choosing either method of claiming benefits is permissive. The need for good representation of a Lawyer may be had along the process.