Getting hurt is the last thing anyone wants to happen, especially when your injuries are sustained on the job. Work-related injuries can directly impact your ability to perform at work, which ultimately negatively affects your livelihood. Fortunately, workers’ compensation benefits are designed to provide you with the medical treatment you need to recover from your work-related injury or illness and can partially replace lost wages during your recovery.
If you are injured on the job, it is in your best interest to understand workers’ compensation and the steps you should take to ensure you are adequately covered.
Your First Steps
If you’ve experienced a work-related injury or illness, the first thing you should do is to notify your employer immediately. The sooner you can get your situation documented by your employer, the better, even if your ailment has developed over time. You may lose your right to workers’ compensation if you do not report your illness or injury within 30 days.
Next, you need to attain the appropriate medical treatment if necessary. Make sure you alert medical staff that your ailment is work-related so they can properly document your condition. If emergency aid or medical treatment is not required, it is wise to receive first aid and an appointment with a doctor. Once your workers’ compensation claim is filed, your employer is obligated to provide medical care for you to treat the injuries you incurred while working.
Medical Related Benefits
Several benefits exist within the workers’ compensation program. Your employer is required to pay for any medical care that relates to your on-the-job injury or illness. This benefit includes treatment services, physician visits, pharmaceuticals, tests, and travel costs incurred for medical care.
Temporary And Permanent Disability Benefits
Benefits also include temporary and permanent disability relief if you lost wages because of work-related injury or illness. Suppose you cannot perform your duties at work while recovering from your illness or injury yet will be able to return to work at some point. In that case, a temporary disability benefit will help you bridge that gap. If you sustained a lifelong loss of physical or mental performance where you will be unable to return to work, permanent disability benefits would be awarded.
Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit
In cases where employers do not offer you work, and you don’t go back to work for your employer when your health is cleared to return, supplemental job displacement benefits can assist with any costs incurred for retraining or enhancing your skills.
Seeking Legal Counsel For Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Your work is your livelihood, and if you’ve been hurt on the job, you must protect your financial wellbeing. Attorneys who specialize in injury compensation will help you navigate the workers’ compensation process to ensure your rights are protected and that you receive the benefits you deserve.
