What To Do After An Industrial Accident
If you have an industrial job, working in manufacturing, at a factory, or in construction, you have a high risk of being injured on the job. From machine accidents, equipment failures, malfunctions, and explosions, being struck by debris, or falling from a ladder or scaffolding, workers in these injuries face danger in exchange for a paycheck every day. In exchange for accepting these physical risks, employees are entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits provide medical care and full or partial wage replacement when an employee is injured on the job. However, it’s not always clear how to receive these benefits, or you may have submitted a claim only to have it rejected. If you are struggling to get the compensation and care that you are entitled to, our Alpharetta personal injury attorneys are here to help.
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim
The first thing to do after an industrial accident has occurred is to inform your supervisor or employer of the accident and your injury. You must then seek medical care as soon as possible to keep the effects of the injury from getting worse. Prompt medical care will also support your workers’ compensation claim, since it creates the impression that the injury was serious and painful enough to warrant immediate care. Notifying your employer should be sufficient to initiate the claim. They will likely have some paperwork for you to fill out, and you will be contacted by a workers’ compensation insurance claims adjuster.
If you notify your employer verbally of the accident, be sure to follow up in writing. You only have a limited amount of time during which you can bring a workers’ compensation claim. After that, you forfeit your right to coverage. So if your employer fails to report the injury, forgets, or does not file the claim, you can lose your right to coverage unless you have proof that you properly reported the injury.
What if My Claim is Rejected?
If your claim is rejected, think of it more as a starting point than as a dead end. It is common even for legitimate claims to be rejected the first time that they are submitted. The workers’ compensation insurance company may just need additional information, or there may have been an error made in filing your claim. You have the right to appeal their denial, and many people are successful with this. A lawyer can help you appeal a denial and ensure that you get the compensation and coverage that you are entitled to. Your lawyer can also negotiate your settlement to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation and benefits that you are entitled to.
Contact Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers in Atlanta, Georgia
Serving Atlanta, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Cobb County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Johns Creek, and Sandy Springs, the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers are here to help if you have suffered an industrial or work-related accident. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Source:
osha.gov/fatalities
