Workers’ Compensation Basics
The workers’ compensation program in America was founded to help injured employees pay for medical and recovery costs after being rendered unable to work through an injury. This is meant to include all forms of medical recovery and therefore it is important to understand how the system works to maximize on its benefits. Unfortunately, many companies try to take advantage of employees’ lack of understanding and take away from their benefits and compensation dispensed.
The first and most important thing to remember with regards to workers’ compensation is that it is a right that is afforded to all employees if they are injured while on the job or in the workplace. This is true regardless of how the injury was sustained or under what circumstances. If the employee was on the clock and at his or her place of work, he or she is eligible for workers’ compensation. That being said, it is best to report any incident as soon as possible following the injury, as this increases the chances of receiving the maximum amount of benefits.
Typically, after the injury is reported to the employer, the employer’s insurance company will then be in touch with the injured employee to discuss the extent of the injury, necessary treatment, and how much and how often the benefits will be dispensed. Compensation is often given out over a series of weeks or months, depending on the severity of the injury. When seeking medical treatment, it is best to keep thorough documentation of all visits, treatments, and medications, to make it easier for the insurance company to bill and to receive the most amount of compensation possible.
Sometimes, employers and insurance companies will try to deny an injured employee his or her right to workers’ compensation. This is not legal and is, more often than not, grounds for a lawsuit to gain the compensation deserved. If you or someone you know is going through this process, you need not do it alone; we at the Franco Law Firm are here to help. To learn more about our services and to schedule a free consultation today, please call us at (813) 872-0929.
