Workers’ compensation is one of the most critical aspects of an employee’s career. Workers’ compensation is an insurance program that is mandated by the state. It provides medical treatment, vocational rehabilitation, wage replacement, and other necessary benefits to the staff who gets injured while they are on the job. The worker’s compensation for private employees is dealt with by a state-by-state program. When an employee gets injured on the job, a worker’s compensation claim needs to be started. However, it might prove difficult to negotiate a worker’s compensation claim. Many make mistakes while claiming their worker’s compensation. Here are some of the common mistakes that you can avoid to get the best results.
Not getting medical treatment immediately. One of the major mistakes employees make is not seeking medical attention as soon as possible. Insurance companies will come to the conclusion that, if the employee did not seek medical help immediately after the accident, the injury is not serious or worthy of treatment. If you leave the injury untreated, there is always a possibility that the injury will get worse. So, if you get hurt on the job, make sure that you have someone take you to the emergency room or a walk-in clinic.
Not reporting the injury or illness to the employer. If you sustain an injury on the job or get diagnosed with a work-related illness, it is vital that you report it to your employer immediately. Workers might shy away from reporting an injury due to shame or embarrassment. However, it is essential that the injury or illness is immediately reported, and then document all correspondence you have with your employer regarding your injuries and send a written notification to them. This will show that you took the proper steps to notify them of the injury.
Not documenting the details of the accident, or not being thorough with it. Having precise documentation of your injury or accident is vital for your worker’s compensation claim. It is also a possibility that your memory might fade after waiting so you may not be able to recall specific details of your accident. So it’s crucial that you note down every detail of your accident, including if there were witnesses, their details, and how they responded to the accident.
Not investigating the injury promptly
The ideal person to conduct an investigation into a workers’ compensation claim is the injured worker’s immediate supervisor. This can be extremely important in deciding whether or not a reported injury is credible. The supervisor typically has the most expertise regarding the position and the closest connection to the injured worker. The claim agent should be informed immediately of any information that could affect the claim, including any witness information.
Procrastinating while filing the claim. Within 24 hours of the employee reporting the incident, claim forms should be given to injured employees in general. The employer is responsible for timely reporting, which means all the necessary information, including personal information like the employee’s social security number, date of hire, payroll history, and more, needs to be provided to the workers’ compensation carrier within the state’s set requirement period.
Not keeping a record of the injuries and the treatment. It is important that you record and keep track of the treatment and collect the receipts, prescriptions, MRI, X-ray, etc. It is vital to maintain a record of all the spending that is related to your medical treatments, including the lost wages, and any special services. This will reduce the chances of any errors or foul play in your worker’s compensation claim.
Not having a proper return to work program. A modified duty or return to work (RTW) program helps the wounded employee and the company feel less stressed. These programs give injured workers a way to gradually return to work even if they are unable to carry out their pre-injury job tasks. Additionally, it gives them financial stability, maintains their social connections, and aids in the maintenance of their skill set. An RTW program benefits firms by lowering employees’ compensation expenses, decreasing turnover, and maintaining employee productivity.
Workers’ compensation can seem complicated. However, it is important that it is carried out accurately and without errors. It is beneficial for both the employer and employees. Sometimes, the workers or the employer might not be completely aware of the correct way to claim and process workers’ compensation. Making errors in workers’ compensation might cost both the employer and the employee heavily. It is important to avoid these common mistakes and it will you get the compensation that you rightfully deserve.