By chronos 
If you have been injured on the job, you may be entitled to a workers compensation claim. However, the process of filing a claim is complex. Here are some things you should know before filing your claim. Read on to learn how the process works, the steps involved, and what to do if your claim is disputed. In this article, we’ll cover the steps and requirements you need to meet to file a workers compensation claim.
Requirements to file a workers’ compensation claim
The time period for filing a workers’ compensation claim varies from state to state. You must notify your employer within a certain period of time after a work-related injury. This can be as short as three days in Wyoming to two years in New Hampshire. The notice must be in writing and include the date and location of the incident. Depending on the state, you may also have up to three years from the date of the last payment to file a claim.
First, you must seek medical treatment for your injury. Seek medical attention immediately after an accident and report the injury to the insurance company and the Division of Workers’ Compensation. You must also fill out the required forms. Your employer will submit them to the state workers’ compensation agency or the insurance company. In some states, reporting an injury will start your claim immediately; in other states, you will need to appeal to get the money.
Cost of filing a workers’ compensation claim
The cost of filing a workers’ compensation claim varies greatly by state. While the cost of workers’ compensation is determined per employee, it fluctuates widely with turnover. When determining the cost of workers’ compensation insurance, employers should first calculate the annual earnings and gross wages of each employee. If these figures are difficult to determine, employers should make a conservative estimate of their expected payroll. Under or overestimating payroll will affect the premium.
If you are trying to save money on workers’ compensation costs, preventable accidents. Reporting an accident as soon as possible can reduce costs. According to a Hanover study, claims with more than two weeks’ delay will cost over $8,000. By reporting an accident as soon as possible, you will facilitate proper medical attention and a complete investigation of the accident. Additionally, you’ll avoid the costs associated with delayed benefits or fines.
Steps involved in filing a workers’ compensation claim
To receive benefits under the workers’ compensation program, injured workers must report their workplace injuries and illnesses to their employer. Reporting periods vary by state, but they can range from a few days to a year. It is important to notify your employer as soon as possible after the accident or illness. A longer waiting period can make your employer skeptical of your claim, so the earlier you report the accident or injury, the sooner you will receive benefits.
Initially, the injured worker should receive medical care for the injury. After the medical treatment, the injured worker should be given a claim form for workers’ compensation benefits. Without the form, it is impossible to receive the benefits. After completing the form, the worker must mail the completed claim form to his or her insurance company. This notifies the insurance company that a new claim has been filed and provides the necessary information.
Claims that are disputed
The reason why many employers dispute workers compensation claims is not always due to the injury itself. Many employers will dispute a claim due to financial reasons, skepticism of a specific disease or injury, or a dislike of the employee. In some cases, employers may simply think the injury was a minor annoyance and shouldn’t qualify for benefits. However, sometimes there are valid reasons to dispute a claim. Can I pursue compensation if I was partially at fault? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
While most workers compensation claims are compensable, there are instances where an injured worker cannot rely solely on medical records to prove that a specific injury was caused by their job. For example, a worker may be able to claim a lumbar strain because she lifted a 20-pound tote of parts. However, her medical doctor finds objective evidence that multiple lumbar disc herniations occurred from lifting the tote. In these situations, an attorney can help.