winter injuries - file a personal injury lawsuit?

winter injuries - file a personal injury lawsuit?

The Steps To Take When Filing For Worker's Compensation Benefits

by Franklin Vasquez

If you sustain an injury while on the job, there are several steps that need to be taken in order to get compensated for money you lose to medical bills and lack of a regular paycheck. Taking the time to follow through in every aspect of your injury will ensure that you have a better chance in collecting much needed worker's compensation money. Here are some of the steps to take to have a better chance at wage and medical reimbursement.

Getting Medical Help

The first and most important thing that will need to be done when having an injury occur, is to get medical attention right away. If the injury happens suddenly, take a trip to the emergency room. If the injury happened over time, see a personal injury doctor as soon as you realize you cannot keep working in your condition. A personal injury doctor will be able to give you all the documentation needed to prove that you are not able to go back to the job. If you fail to see a doctor promptly, you risk being denied benefits.

Compiling Documentation

All information should be documented as much as possible. If you have witnesses that saw you get hurt, have them give you a written statement to use if you need to go to court to determine benefit approval or denial. Take pictures of anything in the workplace that proves negligence on the part of the employer for the reasoning of your injury. Snap photos while waiting for the ambulance to take you away, if you are able. All of this information can be used to help your case.

Filing For Compensation

Worker's compensation forms can be obtained from your boss or human resources department. Your doctor can also give you these forms, but it is best to let your employer know that you will be filing for benefits so they are not caught off-guard when they receive notification. The forms will need to be mailed to the state's worker's compensation board to be reviewed before asking your employer for their information about the injury.

If your employer does not agree to pay wages or medical money you have paid out, your claim will be rejected. If this happens, hiring a personal injury lawyer to represent you will be best. You will be able to challenge the decision and have the information reviewed by a worker's compensation administrative law judge in an attempt to be awarded money for the injury.


Share

About Me

winter injuries - file a personal injury lawsuit?

You are walking down the sidewalk on a brisk winter day and before you know it, you are clobbered by an avalanche of snow that has fallen from the roof above. Although this may be funny to watch on videos, it is never an experience that anyone wants to endure. Serious injuries are sustained every single winter because of the neglect of property maintenance by business and home owners. My husband was seriously injured by a snow avalanche off of a roof and we were left with no choice but to hire an injury attorney to help us recover his lost wages and enough money to pay for the medical treatments he will need for the next several years. My site contains advice and information that can help you get through the legal process of a personal injury lawsuit.