Building site. Building worker in helmet applying bandage on his coworker forearm
If you’ve been injured on the job, you may be considering filing a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation is an insurance program that benefits employees who have been hurt or become ill due to their job. It can provide financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other costs associated with the injury. But how do you know if you have a valid workers’ compensation case? Here are some important questions to ask yourself before filing a claim.
Does Your Employer Offer Workers Compensation?
The first step is determining whether or not your employer offers workers’ compensation insurance. Many employers are required by law to provide this type of insurance, but others may not be covered. If you work in an industry where such coverage is mandatory, then it’s important that you confirm with your employer that you do indeed have coverage before pursuing any legal action.
Did You Follow Safety Protocols?
One of the first things to consider when determining whether or not you have a valid workers’ compensation case is if you followed safety protocols at your workplace. Most employers require that all employees follow safety guidelines in order to keep everyone safe on the job. If it can be proven that you did not follow these safety protocols and this led to your injury, you may not be able to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. However, if it can be proven that your employer was negligent or did not create a safe environment for its employees, then your claim may still stand.
Was Your Injury Work-Related?
Another key question is whether or not your injury was directly related to your job duties. If so, then chances are good that you have a valid case and will qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. However, if there is evidence to suggest that the injury was caused by something outside of work (e.g., an accident during non-work hours), then it is unlikely that your claim will be approved.
Is There Documentation Available?
It’s important to make sure that there is sufficient documentation available in order to prove the validity of your claim. This includes medical records and any other paperwork related to the incident, as well as written statements from witnesses or employers about what happened leading up to and during the time of the incident itself. The more evidence there is available, the better chance you have of receiving the benefits you deserve through workers’ compensation insurance.
Do You Need an Attorney?
Whether or not you need a work injury attorney will depend on the severity of your injury and how much assistance you need in filing your claim. If your claim has been denied and/or there are other complications involved, then it may be worth speaking with an experienced attorney who can advise on the best course of action for successfully pursuing your claim. An attorney can also help ensure that all paperwork is properly filled out and submitted in a timely manner so that there are no delays in receiving benefits.
Deciding whether or not to file a workers’ compensation claim can be difficult, but knowing what questions to ask yourself can help simplify things and give you peace of mind while navigating this process. Make sure that you followed safety protocols at work; determine whether or not your injury was work-related; and ensure that there is sufficient documentation available in order for your case to move forward successfully—these are all key considerations when assessing whether or not you have a valid workers’ compensation claim on your hands! With this knowledge in hand, employees will feel more confident in their decision making process when considering filing for worker’s comp!
