The main objective of workers’ comp insurance is to compensate you for work-related injuries to help you to get back to work or continue with your life. A worker’s life can change drastically, financially and physically, if they incur a severe work-related injury and their company doesn’t compensate them. These situations happen when workers make costly mistakes when pursuing their compensation claims. Knowing your responsibilities and legal rights is critical to make your claim successful. 

The best way to maximize your workers’ comp claim is to build a watertight case by learning how insurance companies work. If necessary, you must work with lawyers like Terry Katz and Associates or other legal professionals in your area who’ll guide you on the process and negotiate on your behalf. 

Below are seven practical tips to get the most out of your workers’ comp settlement: 

1. Get Medical Treatment As Soon As Possible 

Laws require all businesses to have procedures to deal with workplace injuries when they happen. If you incur an injury at work, follow through with your company’s procedures. 

Report and agree to the medical attention the company provides you, even if it means your company will call an ambulance to pick you up. Delaying might work against you as far as compensation is concerned. The insurance company might use it as a reason to lower your settlement or deny your claim altogether. 

They’ll reason that if you waited to seek medical attention, the injury wasn’t serious enough or happened elsewhere and not at the workplace. The initial medical report you get after treatment also serves as evidence of your injury. 

2. Notify Your Employer Immediately 

After a work injury, you are legally responsible for reporting the injury to your employer at the earliest time possible. Reporting on time will legitimize your claim and eventual compensation.  

Note that your company can’t fire you for reporting a work-related injury or claiming compensation. Don’t worry if the fault was yours. Workers’ comp insurance is a no-fault insurance meaning whether the fault was yours or not, you’re entitled to compensation. No blame is apportioned to any party. And if for any reason you face retribution from your employer, get in touch with your lawyer. 

3. File Your Workers’ Comp Claim  

After informing your employer of your injury, you should file a workers’ comp claim as soon as possible. Doing so will qualify you for workers’ comp benefits. Make sure you fill in all the required information accurately and completely. You must submit the form must to the insurance company within a specified time after the injury failure, to which you can’t claim compensation. Make sure you research the laws in your state, as each state has its deadline. 

4. Select Or Change Your Doctor 

Typically, insurance companies have a panel of doctors for workers’ comp injuries and illnesses. Your provider might require you to choose from their partner medical professionals or facilities to handle your work-related injury or illness. But you can choose to change doctors if you’re not comfortable with the treatment and care you’re receiving. 

It’s crucial to note that some insurance companies might not have your best interest at heart. They’ll be working toward lowering your payout in any possible way. For instance, they might downplay your need for diagnostic tests or clear you as fit for work before your full recovery. 

It’s safer to work with an independent doctor who’ll evaluate your injuries as transparently as possible while giving you the proper treatment. 

5. Keep Detailed Records 

To maximize your workers’ comp settlement, you should keep proper records of all paperwork. This includes incident reports, receipts, bills, X-rays, medical reports, and everything related to your injury. Additionally, a journal documenting your injuries and their impact on your life, especially on your ability to work, can help build your case. 

6. Know You Are Being Watched 

The insurance company will keep track of your activities and note every slip or anomaly. They may use these incidents against you in future claims. Even if they don’t follow you physically, they’ll monitor you through social media. 

They’ll also scrutinize your medical records and check if you follow through with your medication as required. They’ll keep track of any therapy sessions you miss and appointments with the insurance doctor or court hearings. 

7. Get The Compensation You Deserve 

Some injuries are minor and only keep you off from work for a few days. In these cases, most insurance providers usually settle these injuries quickly. However, if you suffer severe work-related injuries or illnesses that involve high payouts, you might not be able to handle the claim by yourself successfully. 

For one, you might not have the experience to handle trained insurance specialists. Keep in mind that some insurance providers can use any information they collect, like a pre-existing condition, to lower your payout. Hiring the services of a personal injury lawyer to fight on your behalf will ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. 

Conclusion 

In some cases, the first workers’ comp claim is denied due to failure to report the injury on time or when the insurance company thinks a filed claim is fraudulent. To avoid finding yourself in this situation, it’s prudent to understand that time is of the essence when filing your claim. Every little piece of information counts. The above tips can help you get the most out of your workers’ comp claim. 

Jane