If you are hurt at work, you may be able to get workers’ compensation benefits, and reporting the injury is the first step in getting the compensation you deserve. Workers’ comp can pay your medical and rehabilitative expenses, and it can compensate you for lost wages stemming from the workplace accident.
Reporting an Injury : Steps to Take
When you are hurt on the job, your first priority should be to get the medical treatment you need. Once you have been treated, you can apply for worker’s compensation services. First, tell your employer about your injury as soon as you can after it happens; your state’s statute of limitations may vary, but in most places, you will need to report the injury within three months after it happens. Failure to report the accident within that time will keep you from getting workers’ comp benefits.
Getting a Medical Exam
After receiving your claim, your employer will submit it to their insurer, who will in turn request that you submit to a medical exam. The exam will determine the severity of your injuries. Do not answer any questions other than those asked during the exam, as the insurer may use your answers as a reason to deny your claim. It’s also a good idea to take notes of the tests conducted, and of how long the exam took. After the examination, you can use these notes if your claim is denied.
Hiring a Lawyer
To help you get the benefits you need, you should consider hiring a workers’ compensation attorney in Framingham MA. An attorney can help you ensure that you include all the necessary information to convince your employer’s insurer to grant your claim. The lawyer might need a significant amount of information when preparing your case; they’ll likely need to know the results of your initial medical tests, and they will need to see the records from the insurer’s medical exam.
Your Workers compensation attorney in Framingham MA will also examine your employer’s safety record, looking for a history of accidents. The lawyer will try to determine the extent of your injuries, and to determine whether you’re temporarily or permanently disabled. Lastly, your attorney can give you an estimated benefit amount, which includes lost wage and medical expense compensation.
