Unfortunately, on-the-job injuries happen frequently. Some industries, like the construction business, are more prone to employees sustaining harm than others.
If you sustain an injury in the course of conducting your workday, understand the steps below to give yourself a chance at receiving workers’ compensation benefits from your employer.
Notify your employer
People hurt while completing their work, even if not physically on company property, are often entitled to collect worker’s compensation benefits. However, you must meet certain requirements in order to qualify. Employees must notify their employers within 21 days of an injury. Failure to report an incident within the specified timeframe can result in denial of the claim.
The employer notifies the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
The employing entity must inform the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation of any work-related deaths within 48 hours and any other serious injuries within seven days.
Company alerts the insurance company
In addition to notifying the state, your employer reports the incident to its insurance company immediately.
Await approval of the claim
Within 21 days of receipt of the injury report, the insurer must approve or deny a workers’ compensation claim. For this reason, it is important to notify your place of employment as quickly as possible after sustaining a wound on the job. Failure to do so could result in a delayed response leaving you without an income as you recover from your accident. Even worse, it could result in the denial of your claim if you report the incident too late.
Workplace injuries can have serious, even fatal consequences. If you become incapacitated at work, protect yourself by notifying your employer immediately.
