Workers’ compensation benefits are essential for employees who have been injured while on the job. These benefits can help families avoid financial strain by covering an injured employee’s medical expenses and lost wages.
It is important to take the right steps to recover workers’ comp benefits. A single mistake could cause a delay in receiving benefits or lead to a denied claim. Here are a few easy mistakes employees should avoid when applying for workers’ comp benefits:
1. Failing to report an accident on time
Before an injured employee files a workers’ comp claim, they must report their accident to their employer. Employees should report their injuries to their employer immediately after an accident. An employee has up to 30 days to report an accident. Once an employee has reported their accident, an employer will give the injured employee a form to claim compensation.
Within 14 days of submitting the claim form, the business’s insurance company will notify the worker about the status of their claim. If an employee does not report their injuries or submit a claim form within the deadline, their claim may be denied.
2. Failing to seek proper medical care
An employee who was injured while working will need to seek medical care. While an employee could seek care from their own doctor, any ordinary medical practitioner may not be enough for an employee to qualify for workers’ comp benefits.
An injured worker may need to seek a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) for medical care. QMEs are state-certified doctors who specialise in caring for injured workers. A workers’ comp claim may be denied if an employee does not seek an evaluation from a QME.
3. Failing to fill out paperwork correctly
An employee may be asked to fill out multiple forms during the workers’ comp claim process. Making any little mistake when filling out personal information and medical conditions could lead to a denied claim.
Professional legal guidance can help injured workers recover compensation for their injuries and losses.