You may have worked all your life to become a fully qualified medical professional, but when a work-related injury happens, you can sometimes be left wondering what to do next. In this blog post, we’ll help you identify the basics when it comes to workers’ compensation, and offer advice and tips on navigating through the insurance process.

Notify Your Employer When Injury Occurs

The first thing you need to do is notify your employer of your injury as soon as possible. Your employer should then file a claim with their workers’ compensation insurance carrier.

Workplace injuries can take place in many forms. They’re also profession-specific. Say you’re a doctor and you sprain your wrist while on the job. Or, you’re a registered nurse and you hurt your back while lifting a patient.

In both of these cases, because the injury occurred at work, and it’s affecting your ability to do your job, you would likely be covered under workers’ compensation.

Get Medical Treatment

Once your employer has filed the claim, you’ll need to seek medical treatment. You have the right to choose your own doctor, but in some cases, your employer or their insurance company may require that you see a specific physician that they’ve chosen.

It’s important to keep in mind that if you do visit a doctor outside of what’s required or recommended by your employer or their insurance company, you may have to pay for the treatment yourself.

Dealing With Your Claims Adjuster

Once the claim has been filed, you will be assigned a claims adjuster who will handle your case.

You will need to provide the claims adjuster with information about your injury, including how it happened and what medical treatment you have received so far. The adjuster will use this information to determine whether or not your injury is covered under workers’ compensation. If it is determined that your injury is covered, the adjuster will authorize payment for your medical treatment and may also provide you with income benefits if you are unable to work.

There are a few pieces of paperwork you’ll need to provide during the process. The first is a copy of your medical records related to the injury. The second is a Wage and Income Statement, which will be used to determine how much income you’ve lost as a result of your injury.

You may also be asked to provide a recorded statement about the accident and your injuries. It’s important to remember that anything you say in this statement can be used against you, so it’s important to consult with an attorney before giving a recorded statement.

Collecting Workers’ Compensation Benefits

If your claim is approved, you’ll likely be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can include things like medical expenses and income replacement.

In order to collect these benefits, you’ll need to provide documentation of your injury, as well as any missed workdays and doctor’s visits.

Keep in mind that each state has different laws when it comes to workers’ compensation, so it’s important to check with your state’s department of labor for more information.

Benefits last for as long as you’re unable to work or until you reach what’s called maximum medical improvement. This is the point at which your doctor determines that you’ve recovered as much as you’re going to from your injuries.

Seeking Legal Assistance

If you are having trouble getting your workers’ compensation claim approved, you may want to seek legal assistance. An experienced attorney like www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com/worker-compensation.html  can help you navigate the appeals process and ensure that you receive the benefits you deserve.

Taking your claim to court is usually a last resort, but if you’ve been denied benefits and you believe you’re entitled to them, it may be your best option.

An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand your state’s laws and ensure that you are able to get the benefits you need and deserve.

The Appeals Process

If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. The first step in the appeals process is to request a hearing before a workers’ compensation judge. At the hearing, you will need to present evidence to support your claim. If the judge rules in your favor, your claim will be approved and you will be able to receive the benefits you are entitled to.

If your appeal is denied, you can file a petition with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.

At the hearing, both you and the insurance company will present evidence and testimony to support your respective positions. After reviewing this evidence, the board will make a decision on whether or not to overturn the insurance company’s denial of benefits.

Navigating the workers’ compensation system can be confusing and overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Seek out the help of a qualified professional to ensure that you get the benefits you’re entitled to.