If you are injured at work, you probably know that you can receive workers’ compensation benefits. However, there are several steps you should take after the injury to increase the chance of your claim being accepted.
Although you have a right to appeal a denied workers’ compensation claim, the appeal process takes time and your receipt of benefits will likely be delayed. Therefore, if you have a serious and unexpected injury at work, here is what you should do.
Tell your employer and obtain medical treatment
Seek emergency or urgent care treatment as soon as you can. Follow the instructions of your doctors or medical providers. Keep copies of all your medical records and documentation from every doctor’s visit.
Not all work-related injuries require emergency medical treatment. If yours does not, your first step should be notifying your employer of your injury.
Do this as soon as the injury occurs. If your injury developed over time, such as a repetitive motion injury, tell your employer as soon as you learn that the injury is work-related.
You should report your injury within 30 days to reduce the risk of losing your right to workers’ compensation benefits.
Follow instructions for submitting a claim
Once you have notified your employer and sought medical treatment, your employer must provide you with information on filing a claim. File the claim within the deadline.
After that, your employer is legally required to provide you with all medical care that is reasonably required to cure or relieve your injury. This medical care should be free, although you will need to see a doctor or medical provider required by your claim’s administrator.
Know your rights as an injured California worker
You have a right to workers’ compensation benefits after a work-related injury regardless of whether you are a full or part-time employee. Your employer is also legally prohibited from retaliating against you because of your workers’ compensation claim.
However, make sure to keep following the instructions from your doctor or medical provider. Failing to do so could cause your benefits to stop if it appears you are not taking the proper steps to treat your injury.