4 Tips to Help Win Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Being injured on the job can have a devastating impact on your career and life. Both the immediate and long-term effects of a debilitating injury can harm your financial situation, physical and mental health, and overall quality of life. The consequences of on-the-job accidents are the very reasons why worker’s compensation insurance exists.
Unfortunately, while worker’s compensation is available to injured employees, the process can be complicated. Insurance companies often will look for evidence that shows your fault, and many employers are fearful of their losses, thus causing them to fight diligently against these claims – even when it means causing a problematic situation for a current employee. Working with a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you build a strong defense for your claim.
4 Steps to Take for a Successful Workers’ Compensation Claim
When filing a workers’ compensation claim, working with a dependable lawyer can help make the process smooth and straightforward. An attorney will have experience and knowledge about the documentation and information you’ll need for the case. Without the help of an attorney, you can feel confused and unaware of what you don’t know. However, there are some things you can do to help prepare you for the process.
File Your Claim Quickly and Accurately
The sooner you file your claim, the more time you and your lawyer will have to gather the necessary information and evidence for your case. The Colorado statute of limitations states that you have to file a workers’ compensation claim within two years of the accident. When you file sooner, the evidence and information are often relatively easy to obtain since the event occurred only a bit before the filing.
Obtain Witness Statements
“He said, she said,” cases are challenging for judges, so it’s essential to obtain written statements from witnesses to your accident whenever possible. An employer may try to insinuate that your injuries occurred due to your carelessness or neglect rather than unsafe work conditions, so these types of statements can be vital to winning a favorable judgment. Make sure to insist on a written statement rather than a verbal one, as a memory of facts could change or fade over time.
Seek Medical Treatment
When you suffer injuries at your workplace due to unsafe conditions or negligence, you first need to receive medical attention. After you receive care for your injuries, contact an attorney to discuss the details of your claim. The claims process often takes time, and delaying treatment could result in more severe or permanent injuries and illnesses. What’s more, an employer or insurance company could try to claim that your injuries must not have been very bad if you were able to put off medical care. When seeking treatment, be sure to clearly explain to your physician that the injury took place while you were at work, as this can be helpful for documentation down the road, as well as for sorting out payment. You may even find that your healthcare provider is more flexible on payment terms when they understand that you were hurt on the job.
Take Time to Understand Medical Authorization Requests
In many cases, a worker’s compensation insurance agency will request that you sign some type of limited medical authorization release. This will enable them to gather any medical records or bills that are related to your injury. This is certainly a reasonable request, but as legal experts, we advise that you carefully read through these requests and ensure that it’s limited to the correct date ranges and appropriate uses.
When you have a workers’ compensation attorney, you are protecting your health and well-being with dependable legal guidance. There are some tricky processes and documents needed for a workers’ compensation claim. With the help of an attorney, you’ll feel confident and comfortable with your claim.
Contact Our Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at Mintz Law Firm Today!
As we go to work every day and put in time and effort for the company, we expect our health and safety to hold priority and importance. When an employer not only puts your health at risk but the well-being of everyone around you, you have the right to seek compensation for losses you incur due to the injuries. Mintz Law Firm has experience advocating for the rights and interests of clients across Colorado. Our main priority is to make sure you have legal representation you can depend on and trust.
Call (303) 462-2999 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation today.