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Injured on the Job: 6 Steps to a Worker’s Comp Claim

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Filing a worker’s comp claim can be a confusing process. It also comes with many deadlines that could prematurely end your claim. If you have never dealt with the worker’s compensation system, you might miss out on benefits to which you were entitled.

Your employer should inform you about your rights and provide some limited assistance in filing your claim. You can also get assistance from a personal injury attorney who can guide you through the claim process.

Here are six steps to filing a worker’s comp claim.

Report Your Injury to Your Employer

You must report your injury to your employer to start the worker’s compensation claim process. If you do not report your injury, your employer has no obligation to try to find employees that may have been injured.

Worker’s comp covers work-related injuries that occur due to a single event or long-term exposure to workplace conditions.

Single Event

Some examples of workplace accidents that produce injuries that are covered by worker’s comp include:

  • Auto accidents
  • Construction accidents
  • Falls
  • Falling objects
  • Machinery accidents

When you suffer in one of these accidents, you should report the accident as soon as possible. If you wait more than 30 days after your accident to report it to your employer, you may jeopardize your right to worker’s comp benefits.

Long-Term Exposure

Some workplace injuries occur over time. Some examples of injuries caused by repeated or continuous exposure to unhealthy conditions include:

  • Hearing loss
  • Toxic exposure
  • Repetitive stress injuries

When you suffer from one of these injuries, you should report the injury within 30 days of discovery. Waiting longer than that might risk denial of a worker’s comp claim.

Fill Out the Worker’s Comp Form

Your employer must provide you with the worker’s comp form within one day of hearing about the injury. If you are still coming to work, your employer might deliver the form in person. If you are unable to work, your employer is only required to mail the form within one day of hearing about the accident. The form is also available online if your employer fails to provide a copy to you.

The form asks for identifying information, such as your name, address, and Social Security number. It also asks for information about the injury. Specifically, you must describe:

  • The injury date
  • Where the injury happened
  • Which body part was injured

Even though the form asks for a Social Security number, undocumented workers can receive worker’s comp benefits.

Return the Form to Your Employer

Once you complete the injury form, you need to return it to your employer. The employer must forward the form to their worker’s comp claims administrator. The employer must also provide you with a copy of the form after the employer fills out its section. All of this must happen within one day of receiving the completed form from you.

Get Medical Treatment

Within one day after receiving your completed worker’s comp form, your employer will authorize up to $10,000 in medical treatment for your injury. You are entitled to use this benefit for your injuries, even if your claim is eventually denied.

Getting medical treatment will help your claim in several respects:

Diagnosing Your Injury

When you seek medical treatment, a doctor can diagnose your injury. This may help you as the worker’s comp insurer investigates the claim because it could link your injury to your work.

Developing a Treatment Plan

Worker’s comp pays for all reasonable treatment. By beginning treatment, you and your doctor stake out the treatment you think you reasonably need.

Documenting the Reasons for Missed Work

The doctor can provide you with a note excusing you from work. You may need this evidence if the insurer questions the amount of work you missed.

Cooperate with the Insurer’s Investigation

The worker’s comp insurer has 90 days to review and investigate your claim. During this time, the insurer might request copies of your medical records and other documents relating to your injuries.

The insurer might also schedule a deposition to question you under oath. You should consider hiring a lawyer before attending a deposition to help you understand and respond to the insurer’s questions.

The insurer can ask that you undergo an independent medical examination by a doctor that is selected by the insurance company. Again, you should consider talking to a lawyer before going to the exam so you know what you should or should not do during the exam.

You should cooperate with this investigation so that the insurer can process your claim. But you should also remain aware of any attempts to twist the information you provide so that the insurer can deny your claim.

Pursue a Hearing if Your Claim is Denied

If the insurer denies your claim, you can request a hearing before a worker’s compensation administrative law judge (ALJ). The ALJ has experience in worker’s comp cases and has the power to review claim decisions. Before attending a worker’s comp trial, you should consider hiring an injury attorney to present your case at the hearing.

Getting Help with Worker’s Comp Claims

California designed its worker’s comp claims to be simple, where we represent some clients. But in some states, the system can be difficult to manage. But your employer and its insurer have a financial incentive to deny your claim. Hiring an injury attorney to help with your worker’s comp claim can provide someone to fight for your right to worker’s comp benefits.

Contact the Law Brothers® to schedule a free initial consultation with a friendly and experienced personal injury lawyer. Our firm has successfully helped many workers with their worker’s comp claims. We will bring the same results-driven work ethic to your case. We Fight. You Win. They Pay.

What Our Clients Say

Honestly can't say enough positive things about the Law Brothers! I got into a severe car accident at the end of 2016 and they've been with me every step of the way ever since. Almost 4 years! I want to thank everyone there especially Caitlyn, Shawn, and Yasmeen. They have been responsive, helpful, and reassuring and I don't know what I would've done if I didn't have the legal support that I was able to get along the years. They are super professional and really helped me get through this hardship in my life. I would definitely recommend!!!

Ivonne K.

Last year I contacted your law firm when I got into a car accident. the gentleman that handled my case, his name was Cesar. Cesar was very helpful and compassionate about my situation. He helped me get my car fixed very quickly and was super patient with me. He answered all of my questions and ensured me that everything will be taken care of. Once my case was settled I ended up getting more than I was expecting, which was amazing. I highly recommended Cesar and this law firm to anyone that needs help.

William Charlton

I was a client to the Law Brothers firm for about a year, the staff is really nice and professional. I would get updates on the case status and when I did call I would usually get a call back within 24 hours. I really appreciate the work that was done for me. I got the most out of my settlement and when I called to have a break down of the costs, Genesis was very patient and gave me a break down on all of it. I will definitely recommend this law firm to friends and family, as well as call them in the future if needed (hopefully not soon).

Erendira Landa

I had gotten into an accident and had no idea what to do. Friends and family recommended I get a lawyer since I was not at fault. I found this firm and I was beyond impressed. They handled everything for me from car insurance questions to finding doctors for me to visit. After my accident all I had to do was make appointments with various doctors to help with my pain. I give five stars because this firm went above and beyond and continued to follow up with me. I highly recommend if you are in need of a lawyer to use them.

Jacqueline D.

The team at the Law Brothers we’re amazing! I am not the kind of person to seek legal counsel, but I was hit by a car while riding a motorcycle and the driver’s insurance was avoiding my attempts to get reimbursed. They were able to not only get a settlement that replaced my motorcycle, but they found me physical therapy which was close to my work. Now I am back to where I was physically before the accident and I am able to ride a motorcycle again. They were always responsive to my texts, calls, and emails. They even would systematically check to see how I was healing and if the support they linked me to was satisfactory.

Charles Mortensen

This law firm is a team of miracle workers! The Law Brothers Law Firm saved me from suffering at another law firm from Century City. My case manager Jonathan was able to gather all the details from my accident ( literally within a week! ) and keeping me updated consistenty to keep me at ease. They work diligently and keep at it until your case is completed. I went through a car accident that almost took my life away but thanks to the higher power and the Law Brothers, you won't even hesitate to choose them because I felt trust and integrity throughout my case and I feel happier in my life, which in my opinion, matters the most at the end of the day.

Jason Avelar

What Our Clients Say

Honestly can't say enough positive things about the Law Brothers! I got into a severe car accident at the end of 2016 and they've been with me every step of the way ever since. Almost 4 years! I want to thank everyone there especially Caitlyn, Shawn, and Yasmeen. They have been responsive, helpful, and reassuring and I don't know what I would've done if I didn't have the legal support that I was able to get along the years. They are super professional and really helped me get through this hardship in my life. I would definitely recommend!!!

Ivonne K.

Last year I contacted your law firm when I got into a car accident. the gentleman that handled my case, his name was Cesar. Cesar was very helpful and compassionate about my situation. He helped me get my car fixed very quickly and was super patient with me. He answered all of my questions and ensured me that everything will be taken care of. Once my case was settled I ended up getting more than I was expecting, which was amazing. I highly recommended Cesar and this law firm to anyone that needs help.

William Charlton

I was a client to the Law Brothers firm for about a year, the staff is really nice and professional. I would get updates on the case status and when I did call I would usually get a call back within 24 hours. I really appreciate the work that was done for me. I got the most out of my settlement and when I called to have a break down of the costs, Genesis was very patient and gave me a break down on all of it. I will definitely recommend this law firm to friends and family, as well as call them in the future if needed (hopefully not soon).

Erendira Landa

I had gotten into an accident and had no idea what to do. Friends and family recommended I get a lawyer since I was not at fault. I found this firm and I was beyond impressed. They handled everything for me from car insurance questions to finding doctors for me to visit. After my accident all I had to do was make appointments with various doctors to help with my pain. I give five stars because this firm went above and beyond and continued to follow up with me. I highly recommend if you are in need of a lawyer to use them.

Jacqueline D.

The team at the Law Brothers we’re amazing! I am not the kind of person to seek legal counsel, but I was hit by a car while riding a motorcycle and the driver’s insurance was avoiding my attempts to get reimbursed. They were able to not only get a settlement that replaced my motorcycle, but they found me physical therapy which was close to my work. Now I am back to where I was physically before the accident and I am able to ride a motorcycle again. They were always responsive to my texts, calls, and emails. They even would systematically check to see how I was healing and if the support they linked me to was satisfactory.

Charles Mortensen

This law firm is a team of miracle workers! The Law Brothers Law Firm saved me from suffering at another law firm from Century City. My case manager Jonathan was able to gather all the details from my accident ( literally within a week! ) and keeping me updated consistenty to keep me at ease. They work diligently and keep at it until your case is completed. I went through a car accident that almost took my life away but thanks to the higher power and the Law Brothers, you won't even hesitate to choose them because I felt trust and integrity throughout my case and I feel happier in my life, which in my opinion, matters the most at the end of the day.

Jason Avelar

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