If you were injured at work, your next move will be to file for workers comp so you can cover the costs of your medical treatment and obtain the lost wages you deserve. The process may seem complicated, but this article will walk you through it step-by-step. You will learn to report your injury, hire a Louisiana workers compensation attorney to file the claim paperwork, deal with your employer, and more.
Seek Medical Attention
First and foremost, get any injuries checked out by a doctor immediately. If you were injured at work, report the incident to your employer and see the doctor they refer you to. Describe how the injury occurred and have the doctor properly document your condition.
Ask your doctor for medical certification stating that your injury prevents you from working. This establishes that you have a legitimate work-related injury and are entitled to workers comp benefits like lost wage replacement.
Notify Your Employer
As soon as you’re injured at work, inform your supervisor about the incident. They’ll fill out an accident report to document what happened. This report is important for processing your claim, so provide as much detail as possible about how you were hurt, including the names of any witnesses.
Your employer must report the injury to the workers compensation insurance provider within certain days. The period varies by state but is usually between 3 and 30 days. Once reported, you’ll receive information about filing a claim for benefits.
Complete Claim Forms
To get the workers comp claim process started, you’ll need to fill out some paperwork. Your employer should provide you with the necessary claim forms, usually within a day or two of reporting your injury. If not, you can request the forms from your employer or download them from your state’s workers comp website.
Depending on the nature of your injury, you may also need to complete other forms. For example, if you need to see a doctor, you may need to fill out information about your medical treatment. You may also need to provide details about your work duties, salary, and schedule.
Insurance Company Review
After submitting your claim, the insurance company will review all the details to determine if your employer’s policy covers your injury or illness. This process typically takes a few days up to a couple of weeks.
Don’t be surprised if the insurance adjuster assigned to your case reaches out for more details about the events leading up to your injury or asks follow-up questions. During the review, the insurance company will likely request records from any doctors or hospitals that have treated you for your work-related injury or illness.
Get Your Settlement
Once your workers comp claim has been approved, the insurance company will determine a settlement amount to compensate you for your injury. The initial offer from the insurance company is usually on the low end. Don’t feel pressured to accept the first offer.
You have the right to negotiate a fair settlement, and, in many cases can get a higher amount, especially if you have extensive medical bills or long-term effects from your injury. Consult with a workers comp attorney to determine a reasonable counteroffer.
Injured at Work? Reach Out to an Experienced Louisiana Workers Compensation Lawyer
If you have been injured at work, you deserve to be fully compensated for your losses. However, insurance companies do not always make obtaining a fair settlement for your injuries easy. An experienced workers compensation attorney in Louisiana can advocate for you, helping you navigate the claims process and negotiate the highest possible settlement.
By calling our firm at 504-420-2755, we can assess your case and advise you on the strongest strategy for obtaining the compensation you deserve.
