Understanding the Basics of Filing a Workers Compensation Injury Claim

By Rachel Higgins

Any injury or illness that occurs from or during the course of employment can be deemed as a workers compensation injury, normally providing it can be shown as at least part work related. Any employee that seeks to file a workers compensation injury claim must be able to prove a direct correlation between their injury or illness and their work environment. While some injuries are easy to prove as workers compensation injuries others require investigation and medical testing.

What is a workers compensation injury?

Some examples of workers compensation injuries include:

o Inadequate machinery or tools
o Slick or wet surfaces
o Dangerous chemicals or materials such as asbestos
o Faulty equipment
o Repetitive use of computers
o Lifting or bending
o Car accident whilst working or traveling to and from work

I've been injured, now what?

If you've been injured on the job and are seeking compensation then you should:

Seek medical attention - Your injury should be seen by a doctor no matter how major or minor it may seem in your personal opinion. Only a medical doctor can offer a proper diagnose of your condition and prescribe a treatment plan to get you on the road to recovery.

File a claim -Whether you choose to file a claim on your own or to hire a workers compensation attorney you need to file a claim as soon as possible. There are statutes of limitations for workers comp claims that must be adhered to.

Not sure if you need a lawyer?

If you are not sure whether you need the help of a workers compensation injury lawyer here, are few questions that may help you decide:

Have you suffered severe injuries as a result of a workers comp injury? - If you have suffered a severe injury then you should always seek the immediate help of a specialist lawyer

Are you being pressured to settle a claim? - Don't give in to pressure to sign off on any documentation or settlements.

Get advice before signing away your rights

Is the insurance company giving you the run around?-If you aren't able to get answers to your questions or help in getting your claim processed, a workers compensation injury lawyer can represent you and help speed up the process.

Failed to receive pay while waiting for your claim to be filed?-If you haven't received any income since being injured or filing your claim then you should seek legal help as soon as possible.