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If you suffer an injury in the workplace, you normally have about 45 days to report the incident, but ideally you should report it as soon as possible. After notifying your employer, you can seek legal representation to assist you with compensation.
A workers’ compensation attorney can greatly improve your chances at receiving the settlement you deserve, so hiring a representative to act on your behalf is highly recommended. If you’re injured on the job, contact an East Chicago work injury attorney so you can begin the claims process.
Common Types of Injuries That Take Place at Work
A work injury is potentially life-altering, so it’s in your best interest to get help as soon as early as you can. Sometimes it may be difficult to determine if your injury makes you eligible for benefits, but learning about commonplace work injuries can help you understand what you’re capable of receiving in compensation.
You may discover that an injury you thought was ineligible is, in fact, eligible for a workers’ comp settlement.
Some of the more common workplace injuries include:
- Struck against an object: Injuries that involve objects such as doors, windows, walls, etc.
- Struck by an object: When dropped or fallen objects cause injuries.
- Slips and falls: Injuries resulting from slipping on slippery, wet, or uneven floors, or ice-covered sidewalks during winter.
- Caught in/compressed by: These injuries usually result from accidents involving factory work and heavy machinery.
- Traffic incidents: Accidents that occur while using company vehicles.
- Fall to a lower level: Injuries that occur when falling down stairs, off ladders, off roofs, etc.
- Overexertion: Arguably the most common workplace injuries, which involve pulling, pushing, throwing, holding, carrying, and lifting.
- Workplace assaults: When workers experience a form of assault while working.
- Repetitive Motion: Injuries experienced by repeating the same motion.
What You Need to Know About Workers’ Compensation Cases
A workers’ compensation lawyer in East Chicago can assist you with the navigation of the entire claim filing process after suffering a workplace injury, but you should understand what the different parts of the process entail.
For instance, you should know about the statute of limitations for your specific type of injury, the kind of paperwork you’ll need throughout the case, and the benefits you’re eligible to receive. The different types of compensation may include reimbursement for medical bills, permanent injury, lost wages, and more. If you have questions about any aspect of your case, a workers’ compensation lawyer will be able to help answer them.
The Claims Process
Filing a workers’ compensation claim isn’t a particularly easy process in many cases, but a legal representative can reduce the complications surrounding your claim.
Reporting to your employer is the first action you should take after experiencing a work injury. Report your injury within seven days of the workplace incident, and if you receive medical assistance, you should also inform the medical staff about your injury. In some cases, workplace injuries determine the medical professionals and facilities you need to visit.
Following these steps, you should open a benefits claim with an insurance carrier upon receiving reports from doctors or employers. The carrier will review your claim and determine if it’s compensable.
If you are eligible for compensation, your carrier will contact you and your employer to discuss the benefits or rate of pay that you will receive while recovering. However, if the claim is denied, the client can appeal it to push for reconsideration.
