worker with broken arm giving paper to businessman in blue jacket in office, compensation concept
Workers’ compensation laws are complicated enough on their own, and each state has a say in how the laws apply to each claim, the process becomes even more complex. So, laying out a general guide on making a claim is akin to showing someone how to navigate through their particular state laws and regulations, which is not something you can do in an hour or two.
Applying for workers’ compensation can be a confusing legal process that can become even more difficult to keep track of when you are recovering. However, there are a few ways to make your situation easier to understand so that you can navigate your case efficiently.
The Legal Landscape
Filing for workers’ compensation is not unlike Medicaid in that there are different regulations that vary from state to state. With workers’ compensation filing, every state has its own specific deadlines, rules, and regulations.
State workers’ compensation laws are continually being revised. Depending on your state, you may see that a handful of regulations are changed on an annual basis. With COVID-19 on the rise, the number of legal adjustments being made annually shows no sign of slowing down.
Can You Learn about These Changes?
Typically, what kinds of laws are changed? Today, workers’ compensation systems are changing for many reasons, but especially because they are facing issues such as:
- Healthcare Workers and Covid Exposure: First responders and frontline healthcare workers have been granted immunity under laws that presume their COVID exposure occurred at work in several states.
- Long Term COVID Conditions: The long-term impact of COVID is unknown to the workers’ compensation industry. Legislation may be passed to limit this uncertainty.
- The New Remote Worker Trend: The increase in the number of people working remotely can also affect state laws. Employees working from couches or coffee tables may be more likely to sustain back, neck, and shoulder injuries. A recent study shows that the number of businesses seeking services to prevent work-from-home injuries rose by 200% in the last year and a half.
Because of the significant number of changes, it is important to seek the help of a qualified workers’ comp attorney as they are knowledgeable of new and revised laws.
Seek Legal Help
As state laws regarding claims have changed so much, it is best to find legal expertise to stay abreast of the law, to interpret it, and see what factors can affect your claims process. Legal expertise is also highly valuable when it comes to navigating state-specific regulations.
