Tips for Winning Your Workers’ Compensation Case
Were you hurt on the job? Many injured workers assume that they are automatically entitled to workers’ compensation, which covers their medical costs and pays them for any days of work they miss. However, workers must first provide credible evidence that their injury arose out of and in the course of their employment. What’s more, employers and insurance companies may try to fight workers’ compensation claims or expect injured employees to return to work before they are truly able. Here are some tips for winning the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.
Seek Medical Treatment as Soon as Possible
If you become injured or sick as a result of an incident at work, seek medical treatment immediately. Not only is getting treatment right away the best choice for your health, it can also be helpful when you apply for workers’ compensation benefits. Claimants who don’t seek treatment right away are viewed with suspicion. Be sure to follow any treatment advice that your doctor gives you.
On your first visit, you’re allowed to visit any medical provider. After that, you should only visit a medical provider that is certified by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) to ensure that your medical costs are eligible to be covered.
Tell the Doctor You Were Injured on the Job
Due to burden of proof requirements, workers must show that their injury or occupational disease was caused by a work-related accident or exposure. Doctors may be required to provide an opinion regarding the relationship between your job duties and injury. You can make this easier for your doctor by describing your job duties in detail and ensuring that he or she understands exactly how you were injured on the job. Your medical records should include information about the history and circumstances of your injury as well as every body part involved.
Report Your Injury to Your Employer Immediately
If you were injured on the job, report it to your employer immediately to stay on the safe side, no matter how small the injury. The sooner you tell your employer about your injury, the better the outcome will likely be. For repetitive trauma claims, courts don’t look at the date of the injury – they look at the manifestation date, which is the date when the injury and its relationship to your employment would have become apparent to any reasonable person.
Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Hire a workers’ compensation lawyer in Ohio to help with your case if you have moderate to severe injuries, you have significant pre-existing disabilities, you are no longer able to work on a regular basis, or you would like to dispute the denial of your claim. An experienced attorney can guide you through every step of the workers’ compensation claim process.
Most attorneys specializing in workers’ compensation cases will provide you with a free 30 to 40 minute consultation to review your claim and assess whether you really need an attorney. Typically, workers’ compensation lawyers in Ohio represent claimants on a contingency basis. This means that they take a portion of the benefits claimants receive as a result of their representation. If you don’t win any benefits, you won’t owe the attorney a fee.
The process of filing a workers’ compensation claim is often confusing. Our Ohio workers’ compensation lawyers can review every aspect of your case and ensure that you receive all of the benefits to which you’re entitled. Contact Agee Clymer Mitchell & Portman today to request a consultation with our workers’ compensation attorneys in Columbus!