Hurt On The Job
There are several steps to filing a workers’ compensation claim in California. All California employers are required to have worker’s compensation insurance to provide assistance when an employee is hurt on the job. If you get hurt on the job, by law your employer has to give you a claim form. If you don’t receive a form, then you can download one. You should also make a detailed report to your supervisor. In California, you have 30 days to report an injury or illness. Not doing so could lead to your claim being denied.
Many types of injuries that occur on the job are eligible for worker’s compensation. Sudden injuries such as slip and falls, crushing injuries, burns, sprains and fractures can occur. Other injuries can come about over an extended period of time including repetitive stress injuries and illnesses due to exposure to hazards materials.
If the injury or illness is emergent, then go to the hospital right away. When you get there, make sure that someone tells them that the problem is work-related. It’s wise to prepare for a situation where you can’t tell them, such as you being unconscious. In that case, it’s good to have someone else tell them or have a printed card that says so.
The Claim Form
Following an on-the-job injury, it is important to quickly file necessary paperwork and pay attention to all deadlines. Once you’ve received treatment and gotten the forms, fill out only the employee section of the form. Be sure to write legibly or, if possible, use a computer to complete a fillable PDF. Always keep a copy of any forms that you fill out so that there is a second record of what’s been reported just in case the original gets lost or destroyed somehow.
It’s best to deliver the form to your workplace in person. But, if you can’t, for whatever reason, then send it by certified mail that requires a signature and delivery confirmation. Knowing the dates of sending and receipt is important. After that, it’s up to your employer to fill out the “employer” section of the form and mail it to the applicable insurance company. Your employer is required by law to provide you the right medical care. In most cases, the insurance company has 14 days to let you know what’s going on with your claim. If you don’t hear within those 14 days, then contact the insurance company yourself to find out.
What You Receive
You receive several benefits when your claim is approved, including:
- Medical Care
- Temporary Disability
- Supplemental Job Displacement
If your injury is serious enough that you can never return to work, then you also receive permanent disability. If you die from a result of the occurrence at work, then your spouse or other relative receives your benefits.
You also have the right to dispute the benefits you receive by seeing a qualified medical evaluator. That person will determine the extent of your injuries and decide what you should receive, when you should be able to go back to work, and other items related to your case.
What if Your Claim is Denied?
In this case, you also have the right to dispute the worker’s compensation denial. You have a limited amount of time to do so, however, so it’s a good idea to take care of such a dispute right away upon receipt of the denial letter from the insurance company. For more information, check out further information.