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Understanding Worker's Compensation

When medical bills get out of hand and working for a living is temporarily (or even permanently) impossible, injured workers are entitled to protections and benefits.

By Casey ChesterfieldPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
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The worker's compensation system is one of the most important safeguards in existence for workers today. When medical bills get out of hand and working for a living is temporarily (or even permanently) impossible, injured workers are entitled to protections and benefits. A workers' compensation claim can make the difference an injured worker deserves.

But how does workers' compensation work? Why doesn't it always work properly? And what should an injured worker do in order to get, protect, and fight for his or her workers' compensation benefits? Here's what you need to know.

What Is workers' compensation?

Workers' compensation is, at its most basic, a form of insurance. The idea of the insurance policy is to provide workers with some level of protection: If a worker is injured on the job, then a workers compensation policy should pay out benefit to that employee in order to cover the costs associated with that workplace injury, such as medical bills.

Workers' compensation insurance is a benefit provided by employers, and not without good reason. Without a workers' compensation plan in place, an injured worker could sue his or her employer. With the right case and the right law firm, such a worker could bankrupt his or her employer. Workplace injuries are always possible, so many employers choose to offer workers' compensation insurance to cover injuries and their associated costs. The bargain is this: With a workers' compensation plan in place, workers are generally left with little to no legal path to sue the employer. Everything must instead be worked out between the injured worker and the insurance company; the employer is off the hook.

In most cases, workers compensation programs are mandatory for most sorts of employers.

Your Injury and Your Financial Future

So, what happens if you get injured on the job?

For starters, you need to get medical care fast. Medical experts of the sort who work at hospital and urgent care facilities, such as a respected primary walk-in care in Staten Island, are the ones who you should be turning to for care. An urgent care center or hospital should be your first stop, because neglecting your injury could make things worse.

You have a right to care. A workplace accident is not something to shrug off or sweep under the rug. You need emergency care and follow-up care for a serious injury, not just from your primary care physician but from any relevant specialists. With flexible hours and telemedicine visits available, there's no reason not to get proper care.

No reason, that is, except cost — but, happily, that's where workers' compensation should come in. Your employer's insurance company should be covering any medical treatment or check-up related to your workplace accident. A personal injury that happened in your workplace is their responsibility.

Unfortunately, not every workplace accident is covered as it should be. That's why we have workers' compensation law — and workers' compensation attorneys.

Seeking Justice

As you seek effective treatment for your workplace injury, be sure to hold on to any and all documentation related to your treatments. You should also be sure to hold onto any reports or other documentation related to your work-related accident itself. This information will be invaluable to your attorney, should you need one.

And you will need an attorney if your medical benefits are not being provided by the insurance company as they should be. Turn to a personal injury attorney who specializes in workers' compensation cases. Look for a track record of success in dealing with insurance companies and work injury claims. Show up for your initial consultation ready to explain your case and bearing the documentation you'll need in order to show your on-the-job injury and your medical expenses.

Be sure to choose local attorneys, too. Chicago workers compensation attorneys will know Illinois workers' compensation law, just as New York lawyers will know New York law. If you turn to a local attorney with a great reputation, you'll be in good hands. Remember, only an attorney familiar with your case can give you legal advice — so seek out that attorney today, and fight for your legal right to compensation.

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