Learn About Workers Compensation When Injured At Work
If you have been injured on your job through no fault of your own doing, then you probably have immediate needs that have to be addressed right away. These needs more than likely include seeking medical care, addressing immediate help you will now need with things like your physical needs, household needs, and childcare needs depending on the extent of your injuries.
However, there are also some important things you will need to be tending to that also have to do with your being injured. These things should include talking to a worker's comp attorney and making sure you have filled out an accident report. You will probably have plenty of questions regarding being injured on the job and how worker's comp works. Here are some common questions many injured employees usually have, and answers to them.
What steps do you take immediately?
There are three immediate things to do right after being injured on the job, and these things include:
- Immediately report your injury to your immediate supervisor.
- Get in to seek medical attention; an emergency room if seriously injured or your regular physician for mild to moderate injuries.
- Complete a worker's compensation claim form.
It's important for you to understand that your employer is under no obligation whatsoever to give you extra days off, to pay you any benefits, or to make other exceptions for you if you haven't even alerted them to your injury or turned in a form yet. Also, the sooner you begin the process, the sooner you are going to be able to receive benefits.
What type of benefits may you be entitled to?
The benefits that you are going to be entitled to will depend a lot on things like the type of injury you have, the extent of your injury, and other considerations like your own personal needs. There are some basic benefits an injured employee may be entitled to through worker's comp.
However, the type of benefits you can expect to get will depend on your case. Some examples of these benefits include:
- Medical treatment - exams, x-rays, MRIs, medications, physical therapy, etc.
- Emotional treatment - exams, therapy, medications, etc.
- Temporary disability benefits – Disability payments while you can't work.
- Permanent disability benefits – Once it is determined you will be unable to work for a long period.
- Vocational rehab – schooling for a new career or paid training for a new job if you can no longer perform the tasks you had at the job you were hurt at.
How can a lawyer help?
A lawyer can help you to get through the process quicker and can significantly decrease the odds of you running into barriers and issues while you are working through the worker's compensation claims process. A lawyer can also help with paperwork and counsel you through anything you need help with. For more information, contact a workers compensation attorney.