Any worker who is fully covered by workers compensation can work confidently and live comfortably knowing that in case of any injury, they will be sorted out by this injury benefits scheme. While nothing can make up for the pain and suffering a worker may experience as a result of a work-related tragedy, having finances sorted out can help make things a little bit easy for them.
Workers Compensation Defined
This is an injury benefits scheme meant to protect both workers and their employers. Workers are protected in that the cost of treating any injuries they might have sustained or illnesses they might have developed at the workplace will be fully-covered by the insurer. This is not just limited to essential medial treatment, but also rehabilitation and other medical costs. In addition to that, injured workers can expect to get disability benefits for the entire period they will be out of work as a result of the work-related injuries.
Employers on the other hand, are protected in that they can rest easy knowing that employees in a high-risk industry will not be able to sue them for the injuries they experience or illnesses they developed at the workplace. However, this is not an excuse to have a dangerous workplace. It is the legal responsibility of every employer to maintain a safe and healthy workplace suitable for workers.
Filing Workers Compensation Claims
It is important to note that workers compensation claims only covers accidental incidents. If a worker is injured due to the intentional acts of another person, or their own, workers compensation will not be applicable. Any claim filed with regard to such incidents will be rejected.
When a worker is injured, the workers compensation act dictates that they must report the injury to their employer within 30 days for purposes of filing a claim. The report must be accompanied with a detailed statement of how the injury occurred. This can be done orally or in written form. Once reported, a claim will be filed promptly.
When injured, workers should first seek medical attention. Everything else should come second. Most employers have a list of preferred medical providers, so workers should do their best to visit these medical facilities. If there is a closer medical facility, however, and the injury is serious, this requirement may not apply. Workers compensation will pay for all essential medical treatments or procedures regardless of their costs. If you have an unrelated injury or medical condition, workers comp will not pay for its treatment.
Denial of Benefits
There are many reasons why your claim may be rejected. For starters, you might have reported the injury outside the mandatory 30 day period. Secondly, you might have not submitted sufficient documentation. Thirdly, the injury might have been intentional. Please note that there are many other reasons why claims get rejected, but that is not the end of the world; you can always file an appeal. It is always recommended you work with an experienced workers compensation attorney when processing your claim to ensure your claim is approved and all benefits are paid.
