Getting hurt on the job is an experience that can impact the rest of your life. If you have been injured on the job, there are many rights and benefits that you are entitled to depending on your injury. Check out the points below to better understand your workers’ compensation rights.
First Steps
When you get injured on the job, the first thing you should do is go directly to your supervisor. They will have you fill out an injury report that details the nature of the incident from how it happened to what part of your body was injured. This is an essential step in the workers’ comp process should you decide to hire an attorney like Michael Valen, and therefore needs to be done immediately. Once done, you will be able to get started with claiming your rights.
Understand Your Degree of Injury and Disability
After filing an injury report, the next step should be to make a doctor’s appointment so that a doctor can assess the severity of your injury. As part of your workers’ compensation, any doctor’s appointments will be compensated, so make sure to keep a record of all medical appointments.
Once you know the degree of your injury and possible disability as a result, the workers’ comp insurance and your doctor will be able to make a short and long-term treatment plan. No matter what your degree of injury, there will be help for hardworking people from pacificworkers.com where you can find resources, legal advice, and long-term help for your injury. With the help of a good workers’ compensation team, you can get better and get back to work as soon as possible.
What is Included in Your Medical Care?
Depending on the degree of your injury, your medical care could span weeks, months, or even years. The duration of care may not be predictable at first, so the insurance company will set you up with a preliminary treatment plan that can be expanded if needed. Medical care may include scans like x-rays and MRIs and repeat appointments like physical therapy or chiropractor appointments. You’re entitled this to care as long as possible if it is related to your on-the-job injury.
Short and Long-Term Rights
If you get injured at work, you have immediate rights to emergency care if it is needed and you should be financially compensated for any days missed. This is required as you are not allowed to work until you have recovered. This may come in the form of a weekly check or bank transfer. In the case of a long-term injury or illness incurred at your job, you may be entitled to permanent disability benefits which means that you will never fully recover from your injury or illness. If this applies to you, you may still be allowed to return to work, but with disability accommodation. If you cannot return to work, workers’ comp may be able to cover part of your lost wages.
Getting involved in workers’ compensation can be complicated, so it is essential to know your rights. Remember that if you get injured or sick at work, you must report it as soon as possible so that you can get care quickly and be compensated correctly.