When it comes to seeking benefits for a work-related accident or illness, it's all about the timing. Your employer's workers' compensation insurance plan should provide you with some valuable benefits but you need to take action quickly and abide by the rules. To find out why the timing of your actions matter, read on.
State Rules Vary
Workers' compensation insurance is a private business but is overseen by each state. That means the coverage and rules will vary somewhat from state to state. The information below is general in nature and references common rules about workers' comp in many states. To get more precise information, access your state's workers' compensation board online. In most places, there are time limits between 30 and 90 days for claims to be filed. If you are unable to contact your employer for some reason, exceptions to the time rule may exist. Being in the hospital, for example, can extend the deadline for filing a claim.
When to File Claims
In most cases, the sooner you file your claim, the better your chances of having a successful claim experience the better. Workers' compensation insurers may be highly suspicious of claims filed long after an accident or illness has occurred. To the insurer, delayed claims can make it appear that the filer doesn't have a work-related injury or that they are faking an injury to fraudulently collect benefits.
How to File Claims
Prompt attention to these tips for filing a claim will help make things smoother:
If you encounter problems filing a claim, are dealing with an uncooperative employer, or have had your claim for benefits denied, speak to a workers' compensation attorney as soon as you can.
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