Dealing with workplace injuries can be challenging, particularly when it comes to filing workers’ compensation claims. If you get injured while at work, despite your employer’s role, you might hesitate to take action. You may be worried about the potential backlash and legal fees.
Nonetheless, these concerns are invalid and are usually the result of misconceptions. Technically, workers’ compensation laws exist to protect and support employees, not employers. Even though insurance agencies might challenge your claim, the legal system tends to favor the injured staff.
Learning about workers’ comp can help you overcome your fears to pursue the settlement you deserve. Do not let fear stop you from getting the financial help you need to recover from a workplace injury. Read on to learn what every employee should know about worker’s compensation.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation or workers’ comp is an insurance policy that benefits employees who suffer injuries while performing their job. The main idea of this policy is to provide employees with financial support while they recover and to do that in a straightforward manner. It ensures that sick or injured workers receive their benefits fast.
Unfortunately, the claim process determining whether an injury or illness qualifies for a benefit can be lengthy. Furthermore, in some states, the process can be time-consuming and complicated. Therefore, educate yourself about worker’s comp in your state. Start by checking out this Georgia worker’s compensation insurance guide.
How Long Should You Wait to Report an Injury?
One mistake many people make is hesitating or failing to report an injury immediately after it occurs. Every passing moment could mean a lost opportunity to collect evidence, seek medical help, and initiate the claim process.
After an injury, the first thing to do is notify your employer immediately. After that, file the case. Once you report your accident to the Industrial Commission, the insurance agency usually has at least 21 days to evaluate your claim and accept or deny it. If it approves the claim, the insurance company has an additional 7 to 14 days to pay you. However, the exact period depends on the state.
You can take the relevant parties to court if they deny your claim or you aren’t satisfied with the original offer. The litigation process can be lengthy and take months or more if delays and appeals occur. In the best-case scenario, it might take approximately 28 days to get compensation after your incident. Therefore, it’s critical to ensure you report your work-related injury as soon as possible to avoid further delays.
Is Workers’ Compensation the Same as Healthcare?
Absolutely not! Workers’ comp is different from your standard healthcare insurance. You can get a healthcare insurance policy from your employer to enable you to visit your physician for an annual checkup or common health issues. On the other hand, workers’ comp is a kind of insurance employers get to cover their employees in case of a work-related injury.
A workers’ comp policy can help take care of things such as treatment costs, wage replacement, and medical treatment. Knowing what the policy covers will help you avoid any potential claim denial or reimbursement issues.
The Possibility of Winning a Workers’ Compensation Case
When it comes to disputed workers’ comp claims, it’s critical to know that your employer and insurers might have legal representation present. If you don’t have a lawyer on your side, you might be at a disadvantage when navigating the process. Therefore, if you have a hearing or a meeting with opposing legal party representatives, ensure you know your rights and have experienced legal counsel. That will increase your chances of winning a workers’ comp case.
