Suffering from an injury after a workplace accident can lead to a lot of questions. How will you earn an income if you cannot work? How will you afford your medical bills? What type of work can you do after experiencing debilitating injuries? However, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Workers’ comp benefits can cover lost wages and medical expenses if you have suffered a serious injury at work. You are not immediately entitled to these benefits. There are several steps you typically must take before you receive coverage for your injuries and income loss, including reporting your injuries and filing a workers’ comp claim within critical deadlines. Here is what you should know:
When to report a workplace accident to an employer
You should report your workplace accident to your employer immediately. Your employer can document the accident, including how and when the accident happened, how you were harmed and who may have witnessed the incident. Any delays when reporting a workplace accident can make it harder to prove that an injury occurred at work, which can prevent you from receiving benefits. The sooner you file an accident report with your employer, the sooner you can file for workers’ comp benefits.
When to file a workers’ comp claim
After you have reported your workplace accident to your employer, you have one year to file a workers’ comp claim. While this gives you a lot of time to prepare for your claim, you can receive benefits sooner by filing a claim immediately. The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has 28 days to decide whether you are entitled to benefits. If you are denied, you have 14 days to file an appeal.You may need to seek legal guidance to help you recover compensation after a workplace accident.