Applying for workers comp can seem overwhelming and difficult if you don't know what you are doing. There are many people who have great results with workers comp and there are others who walk away frustrated feeling like they were denied the benefits that they deserved. Here are some things that you need to know about workers compensation and what mistakes to avoid.
1. Report Your Injury To Your Employer Right Away
One of the biggest mistakes people make is not reporting the injury right as it happens. If you broke your arm at work, you cannot simply tell the person next to you that it happened and expect that to be a "report." You actually have to file a report through the right channels. If you are unsure who you should tell, contact your HR representative. They can direct you to the right people.
If your employer does not know about the injury right after or very shortly after it happens you might lose your chance for workers comp. It will be harder to prove that the injury actually did happen at work and that it wasn't a pre-existing condition.
2. Go To The Doctors Approved By Your Employer
Second, you need to go to the right doctors after the injury. Just like insurance companies have certain clinics, hospitals and doctors that they are contracted with, your employer will have certain doctors that they approve and that they prefer you to see. This will make it easier for them to access your records to prove the injury, and it will help them to pay for the bills as needed.
If you have followed the right steps, you should tell your employer first and from there they should tell you what doctors, hospitals, or clinics you should go to for treatment.
3. Get A Blood Test To Rule Out Alcohol Use
One reason that many people are denied workers comp is that they had alcohol in their system during the accident. If you were intoxicated at the time of the accident, even if you still believe it was the company's fault, you could be denied benefits. This is one reason why it is so important to make sure that you don't drink while on the job and that you follow the guidelines and the rules of your company pertaining to alcohol and substance use.
By understanding these things you can know if you have a good case for workers comp. You can also check sites like http://mcmullenochs.com for more information.
