After suffering an on-the-job injury, workers often do not know what to do. To make matters worse, it can be difficult to get accurate information regarding workers’ comp insurance. You might hear one thing from your employer and something else from a co-worker, both of which can be different than what you should do after a work-related accident.
Then there’s dealing with the workers’ comp insurance company.
The struggle to get the benefits you deserve
All work accidents and injuries are different, and insurance companies have discretion when it comes to determining whether your injury qualifies for coverage and how much you should receive. Like any business, insurance companies want to make money. As a result, they might:
- Delay your claim
- Deny your claim by arguing your injury or illness is not work-related
- Pay you less than you deserve
- Stop paying your benefits prematurely
In some cases, delays are unavoidable because the workers’ compensation process is complex. That said, delays can be unreasonable, and denials can be wrongful. Because the system is far from user friendly, individuals may not be able to tell when insurance companies are doing something improper. Further, workers may not realize that insurance is not paying for something that should be covered.
Understand your rights
Workers covered by workers’ comp deserve to be properly compensated for their injuries.
You have rights that shield you from improperly delayed, denied or terminated benefits. These rights, like your health and well-being, deserve protection. Rather than make decisions based on what your employer, an insurance company or a co-worker tells you, injured workers should speak to an experienced workers’ comp attorney.
