Nobody wants to be in an accident while at work. However, each month thousands of employees across the United States find themselves injured. That’s why it is important to know what to do after you're hurt. You can take the steps involved in filing a workers' compensation insurance claim. What are
these?
Step #1: Report the Injury to a Supervisor
The first step after being in a job-related accident is to report the injury to a supervisor. In some states, it is a requirement that you do so in writing but verbally is usually a good place to start.
This helps ensure two things happen. First, the company can take immediate steps to prevent the incident from happening again. Second, it allows them to start filing a workers' compensation insurance claim.
Step #2: Get Medical Treatment from a Professional
Next, you’ll want to see a medical professional. If your injury is particularly severe, this step could actually happen before notifying your supervisor. However, it is important that you're evaluated immediately after the incident by a trained doctor.
In some cases, this can be as simple as seeing a family doctor or going to an urgent care center for a one-time appointment. It might also require a series of follow-up appointments with specialists. Either way, it is vital to both mention that the incident was job-related and that you are filing a workers' compensation insurance claim. This can ensure that the healthcare bills reach the appropriate parties.
Step #3: Officially Report the Worker’s Compensation Claim
After you're seen by a medical professional, you will need to fill out an official worker’s comp claim. The form is available from your company and will ask questions about the incident, your injuries, and a few other important topics. There are also sections for your employer to fill out, too. Complete the claim form as completely and accurately as possible. This is what's taken into account when settling your claim.
Step #4: Follow Medical Advice
Finally, it is important to follow all given medical advice. There are plenty of cases where an injured employee receives advice not to go back to work for a set period of time but did anyway. As a result, they had their claim denied. Get everything you can in writing from your doctor. This will help during the claims process.
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