Do I Get Paid If I Am Injured At Work?

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Do I Get Paid If I Am Injured At Work?
(Photo : Do I Get Paid If I Am Injured At Work?)

Everyone wants to work in a safe environment, and employers are legally required to ensure safety and health in the workplace for all of their employees. Not all injuries are avoidable, however, and something is bound to go wrong eventually. 

If you are injured at the workplace or generally while working, you should be eligible for workers' compensation. Your employer should be liable for your injuries, and they are responsible for securing compensation for you through their insurance or workers' compensation policy. Specific employer requirements and workers' compensation laws vary from state to state.  

Getting Your Compensation

Ensuring that you get the coverage you need isn't always so easy, unfortunately. The process can be complicated, and you will need to carefully follow the standard procedure with your employer to be sure it goes smoothly.

If your employer tries to avoid responsibility for your injury or you face other challenges in this process and aren't getting the compensation you need, you should consider seeking professional legal help from personal injury lawyers. An experienced lawyer can give you a better chance of achieving a workplace injury settlement that meets your needs. 

First Steps

When you are injured on the job, the first most important thing to do is report what happened to your employer. You need to officially notify them in writing about how you were hurt so that they can support you. If you delay too long in reporting the injury, the delay could be used against you to limit your benefits later. 

Don't forget to keep careful records of what happened and exactly how you were injured. Hold on to copies of all reports and workers' comp claims that you file. 

Medical Care

While you report your injury, you should also inform your employer if you would like medical care. Your employer and insurer have the right to choose the medical provider who will treat you, and you will need to go to that provider to have your injury evaluated and get proper treatment.

You can go to your own doctor for whatever emergency services and treatment you may need as well, and it is always a good idea to get a second opinion about your evaluation, but you may find it difficult to be reimbursed for expenses if you go to a doctor other than the assigned one. 

Following Up 

As you recover, you will need to follow through on every step of the process. Follow your doctor's instructions and show that you are trying to recover. You can dispute assessments made about your health and readiness to return to work, but you can't simply ignore decisions your doctor and employer make without endangering your compensation. 

You might also need to file a claim for your benefits. Your employer is supposed to file, but some state laws make it your responsibility to ensure it gets done. Don't give up on getting the benefits you deserve and be willing to advocate for yourself when others won't.

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