When a worker gets injured, it’s stressful. Injured workers worry about paying for medical care, and about their ability to work in the future.
A workers compensation lawyer can help a person navigate the process. He or she can make sure that all necessary forms are filled out correctly.
Reporting the Injuries
Workers who sustain a work-related injury or illness have a limited amount of time to notify their employer and file for benefits. Failure to meet these deadlines can result in denial of your claim by the insurance company.
It is important to seek medical treatment immediately after a workplace accident. Even if the injuries seem minor, it is important to disclose every aspect of your pain to your doctor so that they can document the full extent of your injuries. Many people wait to report their injuries, hoping that the damage and discomfort will dissipate.
Unfortunately, this often leads to problems down the road. For example, some employers or insurers try to use a preexisting health issue as an excuse for denying your claim. Your lawyer can help you demonstrate that your current ailment is related to your work and not something that existed before your accident. Similarly, some people feel like the insurer controls who they see for medical treatment and that the doctors are biased towards their employer.
Filing Your Claim
A workers compensation lawyer can help you file your claim. Depending on your job, you might have to submit the Workers’ Compensation Board Form C-3, which serves as verification of your injury or illness. This is an important step in the process, and it should be done as soon as possible.
Your doctor will also need to provide a preliminary medical report. This will be sent to the district office, and your employer and insurance company will receive copies. This document is critical evidence to support your claim.
Some people rely on doctors’ billing staff and their employers’ HR representatives to file their claims. But it’s best to file your own claim to avoid any discrepancies that could jeopardize your benefits. In New York, you can choose your own doctors as long as they take workers’ comp insurance and have credentials from the WCB. Seeing a doctor early and frequently will help build a strong case for your injuries.
Getting Medical Treatment
In New York, workers’ compensation will pay for any medical treatment and equipment that is necessary for your recovery. It will also reimburse you for any travel expenses to and from your doctor’s appointments. However, you cannot use your health insurance for these expenses. You must see a doctors or provider approved by your employer. A workers’ comp lawyer can help you understand which doctors you must see and when.
A workers’ compensation attorney can also assist you when an insurer requests an independent medical examination (IME) of your injury. An IME is an objective assessment of your condition that can help resolve disputes that may arise between your doctor and the insurance provider. You should definitely hire a workers compensation lawyers brisbane to help you!
Your workers’ compensation benefits are based on the severity of your injuries and how much they prevent you from working. A workers’ compensation lawyer can help you gather substantial evidence to support your claim for the full amount of disability benefits that you are entitled to receive.
Getting Compensation
A workers compensation lawyer can help you navigate the complicated system of getting the benefits you deserve. Your employer or their insurance provider may deny your claim, but a dedicated attorney can communicate with them on your behalf, gather medical evidence to support your case, and fight for the best settlement.
Whether you’re out of work because of a workplace accident or suffering from an occupational illness, your medical needs will likely be extensive. An experienced workers’ comp attorney can ensure you have the funds to pay for your care.
A workers’ comp settlement typically includes a payment for your lost wages and future earnings, as well as an amount that’s set aside to cover all your lifetime medical treatment related to the accident. A lump sum amount, called a Section 32 settlement, is sometimes negotiated once you’ve reached maximum medical improvement.