Workers who have needlessly suffered a workplace injury deserve to be compensated for their medical bills and lost wages. While workers’ compensation laws try to make that a clear and attainable objective, pitfalls can limit or even undermine your claim, including getting it outright denied.
Let’s discuss some steps you can take to maximize your workers’ comp claim.
Don’t Handle This Alone.
The simplest way to maximize your claim is to hire an experienced workers’ comp attorney. Submitting your initial paperwork is crucial to setting up the relief and reimbursement you may receive. Once you have filed your claim, workers’ comp carriers can push anxious and injured workers to make hasty decisions regarding their case. A lot of times, claimants may not be aware of all the options that may be available to them.
However, a skilled lawyer can ensure the initial paperwork is strong and present a clear case for compensation, and advise injured workers of their rights and full options, including the level of risk versus return for each. Don’t be pressured to accept an unfair settlement or agree to a lower disability percentage. If you find the terms unacceptable, we are prepared to demonstrate at a hearing our evidence why your case for reimbursement should be increased.
Follow Your Employer’s Guidelines for Filing a Claim
The longer you wait to file a claim, the less likely that you’ll maximize your benefits. Waiting to file allows too many opportunities and questions as to the true extent and severity of your injury. This is often viewed as a red flag that many carriers look out to help weed out improper, invalid, or untimely claims.
That is why it’s essential that you file a claim as soon as possible and follow all of the requirements and requests for information regarding your claim. Failure to do so could not only limit the compensation you receive but could also result in your claim being denied.
Stay Organized.
A lot of workers’ comp claims revolve around your medical records. So, not only should you ensure that you have all of your medical records from all of your providers, but you should keep them organized. This allows a workers’ comp carrier to find the relevant information to help support your claim, and it also can highlight how your injury may not have healed and progressed as the doctor believes it should have.
Having your medical records in a neat and orderly fashion can help provide a clearer medical chronology to help the examiner and judge determine your true disability level.
Bottom line
Although these tips are the best ways to maximize your workers’ compensation claim, with over 40 years of experience, workers’ comp lawyer Thomas Marchese has other skills and proven litigation tactics to further maximize what you may be entitled to.
If you’ve been injured on the job, call me today. We’ll get started on your case so you can focus on healing.
