What Happens When I Am Injured on the Job?

• Report your injury to your supervisor. It is extremely important that you report the injury as soon as possible. Time is not on your side here, so don’t be shy. If you didn’t report it right away, under certain circumstances, claims can still be brought months and sometimes years after the injury occurred.
• Your employer cannot terminate or retaliate against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. If they do, you could have a separate civil claim against your employer directly.
• Your employer must complete an injury report.
• Your employer should report the incident to their insurance company.
• Your employer or its insurer must provide you with a copy of the First Report of Injury. A copy of the First Report of Injury in a lost-time claim must also be sent to your union, if there is one.
• After you have reported the injury, the insurer will investigate your claim.
• You should keep your employer informed of your medical condition and any work restrictions.
• You must notify the insurer of changes in your employment status, medical status, and keep your employer and insurer informed of your ability to work.

If the insurer accepts your claim for benefits:

• The insurer must send you a letter notifying you of their determination.
• The insurer must start paying any wage-loss benefits within 14 days of the day your employer was informed about your work injury and lost wages.
• Even if your claim is accepted, it is advisable to contact a workers’ compensation attorney at Heimerl & Lammers and receive a free consultation. There will be things you must do in order to keep your benefits going and the insurance company is not likely to volunteer this information.

If the insurer denies your claim for benefits:

• The insurer must notify you that the claim has been denied and clearly state the reasons why they have denied your claim.

If this happens, you should contact the experienced worker’s compensation attorneys at Heimerl & Lammers. We provide a free consultation to evaluate your claim.

What Medical Benefits Are Available?

• If your claim is accepted, payment will be made for the cost of all reasonable and necessary health care treatment related to your work injury.
• Prescriptions and reimbursement for mileage to medical appointments are also payable.
• You may choose your own health care provider under most circumstances.
• Make sure your health care provider sends all bills and supporting information to the workers compensation insurer.
• Your health care provider must get approval from the insurer before you have any surgery or hospitalizations, except in an emergency.
• Your health care provider cannot bill you for treatment unless the insurer determines the treatment was not related to an accepted work injury.
• If your claim is denied, or if a specific treatment is denied, you can get the medical treatment covered by your private health insurer, while your attorney fights to get the treatment paid or approved.