What To Know About Filing A Workers Compensation Claim
Posted on: 11 May 2018
If you have been injured or contracted an illness at your workplace, you may need to fill out a workers compensation claim. Workers compensation is essentially a type of insurance policy that provides compensation after you have been injured or become ill due to your work. Workers compensation coverage takes care of medical bills and replaces some of your wages in the event of an illness or injury that is a result of your work. If you need to file for workers compensation, here are three things to be aware of.
There Are Time Limits
When it comes to workers compensation, time is of the essence. After being injured or contracting an illness, you need to notify your supervisor as soon as possible and fill out the necessary paperwork for your claim. It's also important to note that there are time limits within which you must file your claim. These limits do vary from state to state. Most states require that you report your injury to your workplace within 10 to 90 days. The deadline for filing a claim after you have been injured is typically between one and three years; however, the type of injury you have can have an impact on the deadline.
Your Claim May Be Denied
Another thing to be aware of when filing for workers compensation is there is a chance that your claim will be denied. A few things that can lead to a denied claim include not notifying your workplace of your injury or failing to file the paperwork within the designated time limits or filing a claim after quitting your job. There is also the possibility that your situation doesn't meet certain state guidelines or that there is a dispute about whether or not your injury is work related.
You May Need Legal Help
If your workers compensation claim is denied, you may require legal help. A workers compensation attorney will help you with your claim and help you get the best possible outcome for your situation. The cost of an attorney varies from state to state with some states putting a cap on how much a workers compensation attorney can be compensated. On average, your attorney will receive somewhere between 15 and 25 percent of your settlement if they are successful.
Workplace illnesses and injuries can be difficult to deal with. However, filing for workers compensation can help you get the medical care and wage replacement that you need to get by.
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