Understanding Your Rights Following a Workplace Injury Claim

Been hurt at work? Not sure what steps to take next?

Workplace injuries can rapidly turn your life upside down. One moment you are working normally but suddenly you’re overwhelmed by medical debts and paperwork while missing out on your wages.

The worst part? Most injured employees lack knowledge about their legal rights. These workers typically receive lower compensation than they deserve.

This article will provide vital information you need to understand after filing a workplace injury claim. Workplace accidents occur daily which makes understanding your rights an essential requirement.

What You’ll Learn Here

1. Your Rights After a Work Injury
2. First Steps After Getting Hurt
3. Types of Money You Can Get
4. Tricks Employers Use
5. When to Get Legal Help

Your Rights After a Work Injury

Your job-related injuries grant you particular legal protections. When you’re injured on the job, Pennsylvania Injury Attorneys can help you understand these rights and get the money you deserve.

Understand these essential rights you should learn about.

Right to File a Workers’ Comp Claim

All injuries or illnesses that occur as a result of your job allow you to submit a workers’ comp claim. The right to file a workers’ comp claim applies to any work-related injury regardless of the injury’s cause.

Right to Medical Care

You will receive medical treatment for injuries sustained during your work. You can access emergency room visits and doctor appointments along with hospital stays and medications besides therapy sessions and medical equipment.

Right to Money for Lost Work

Money benefits exist to help replace part of your lost earnings when an injury prevents you from working. This help comes in four types:

• You will receive financial help if you have to take time off work because of your injury.
• If your injury allows you to work but only in a limited capacity
• When you can never return to work
• If an injury leaves permanent marks but allows for partial work capacity

Right to Return to Work

You may return to work after receiving approval from your doctor. If you are unable to return to your previous position you have the option to request job modifications or explore alternative job opportunities.

Right to Appeal

Workers’ comp claim denials or decisions you disagree with can be contested through an appeal process.

Right to Hire a Lawyer

It is possible to employ legal assistance to navigate the workers’ compensation system. The quality of your lawyer directly impacts the amount of money you receive.

First Steps After Getting Hurt

Your actions following a workplace injury can significantly influence the compensation you’ll receive. Here’s what to do:

1. Report Your Injury Right Away

Make it a priority to inform your supervisor about your injury as soon as you possibly can. States enforce severe deadlines for work injury reports and failing to meet them damages your claim eligibility.

After reporting your injury you should provide a detailed description of the incident and document the exact time and place it occurred along with any witnesses while saving a copy of the report.

2. See a Doctor

Visit a healthcare professional immediately even if your injury appears minor. Some injuries don’t show signs right away.

Inform your doctor that your injury happened at work and provide a detailed account of how the injury occurred then follow their medical recommendations and save all documents related to your medical care.

3. Take Pictures and Notes

Maintaining good records improves your chances of winning your claim. Whenever possible snap pictures of your injuries and the accident scene while maintaining a detailed diary of your symptoms and recovery process and preserving all injury-related correspondence along with recording every expense related to your injury.

4. File Your Claim

The necessary forms for workers’ compensation claims should be supplied to you by your employer. Submit your forms without errors and on time while storing copies and verifying they received your claim.

5. Talk to a Personal Injury Law Firm

Workers’ comp can be hard to understand. Consulting with a work injury attorney enables you to protect your legal rights.

Types of Money You Can Get

Numerous injured workers remain unaware of the full range of benefits available to them.

Medical Bills

Workers’ compensation covers all required medical expenses from your workplace injury including but not limited to doctor appointments, surgical procedures, medications, therapeutic services, medical equipment and transportation for medical visits.

Lost Pay

You can receive compensation for lost wages if you’re unable to work because of your injury. Typically injured workers receive two-thirds of their normal weekly pay with state-dependent limits.

Job Help

When an injury prevents you from returning to your previous position you can access assistance to secure a new job which includes training for new roles, resume assistance and job search support.

Money for Lasting Damage

Workers who acquire permanent disabilities from job injuries receive additional monetary benefits which depend on the injury’s severity and previous earnings.

Death Benefits

The worker’s family can receive payment for funeral expenses along with a portion of the worker’s salary if a job injury leads to death.

Tricks Employers Use

Bosses and insurance companies may not always show support for you. Here are some tricks they might use:

Saying Your Injury Isn’t So Bad

Certain employers may try to downplay the severity of your injury or claim that you previously had the same condition. The necessity of accurate medical records becomes clear in situations like these.

Pushing You to Work Too Soon

Your boss could attempt to force you back to work prior to your readiness. Your employer cannot determine your fitness for work because only your doctor can give that assessment.

Watching You

Insurance companies employ surveillance of injured workers to find activities that contradict their injury statements.

Making You Wait

Certain insurance companies intentionally extend the claims process to tire you out so you’ll accept less money.

Denying Good Claims

Insurance companies may reject valid claims because they hope you’ll accept the decision without pursuing it further. If your original claim receives a denial from the insurance company you should still remain hopeful because numerous rejected claims are eventually overturned.

When to Get Legal Help

A lawyer becomes essential when dealing with work injury cases that require legal assistance.

• The denial of your claim requires you to seek assistance for an appeal process.
• A serious injury leads to permanent disability which requires legal support.
• Legal assistance becomes necessary when your employer disciplines you after you submit a claim.
• Your injury was caused by a person other than your boss.
• You need an expert to review your settlement offer.

Key Takeaways: Protecting Your Future

When you suffer from a work injury you face many challenges but understanding your rights provides essential protection.

Remember these key points:

• Report your injury right away
• See a doctor fast
• Keep good records
• Know what money you can get
• Watch out for common tricks
• Seek legal assistance immediately if you need it.

Protect your right to full compensation and benefits by taking these steps following a work injury.

It’s important to recognize that both your health and rights remain important despite what others might say.