You can maximize your workers’ compensation claim by reporting your injuries, documenting your medical care, and following all the rules laid out by the state. According to the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation, employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance to protect people who suffer injuries or develop illnesses on the job. Unfortunately, these insurance providers may care more about making a profit than helping you get the money you deserve.
Seeking workers’ compensation after sustaining injuries on the job can be a complicated bureaucratic process. If you make any mistakes, you may lose out on money that is rightfully yours. A workers’ compensation lawyer from our firm with experience handling similar claims could walk you through the process and help you get the most benefits possible.
How to Maximize Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
There are several steps you can take to maximize your worker’s compensation claim:
- Report your injury to your employer. You should report the injury right away. If you wait too long, the insurance company may claim that your injury was not work-related. You must report it within 30 days, or you may lose your right to workers’ compensation benefits.
- Seek medical attention. Medical care is vital for your health but also for your claim. Your medical records document your illness or injuries and link them to your employment. Be sure to seek medical care right after you sustain your injury and tell the medical provider that you were in a work-related accident.
- Follow medical advice. Do what your doctor or other healthcare provider instructs. If you ignore them or go against medical advice, the insurance provider could deny your claim, saying that you made your injuries worse or were never really hurt in the first place.
- Show up to your appointments. Your workers’ compensation case should be your top priority. Show up to every appointment, whether it is with a doctor, physical therapist, or vocational counselor.
- Skip social media. Do not post about your injuries or activities. More importantly, don’t let other people post about you either. Your employer can use these seemingly harmless images of you out and about as evidence against your claim.
- Watch what you say to the insurance provider. Remember, the workers’ compensation insurance provider works for your employer, not for you. The insurance company wants to minimize, not maximize, your claim. If the company wants to record your phone call, you can tell them no until you have a lawyer with you to advocate for your best interests.
- Keep records. You can use your records as evidence during your workers’ compensation case. Keep copies of your injury report forms, workers’ compensation claim, correspondence with the insurance provider, and your medical bills and records. You can also keep a log of phone calls between you and the insurance company, messages they leave for you, or attempted calls you place and messages you leave with the provider.
How a Lawyer Can Assist with Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Seeking workers’ compensation can be exhausting, filled with red tape and drudgery. Dealing with this bureaucracy may feel overwhelming when you are already sick or injured and need time and energy to recuperate. A workers’ compensation attorney can take over these tasks so that you can focus on healing. They can:
- Meet deadlines: Your lawyer will ensure that you file your injury report and workers’ compensation claim on time.
- Gather evidence: They can track down medical bills and records from every healthcare provider you have seen. In addition, they can interview witnesses, take pictures of the scene of the incident, and more.
- Help you find a healthcare provider: In general, you must see the doctor provided by your employer’s insurance company. However, there may be exceptions that allow you to change doctors. If so, your lawyer can help you find a doctor who meets your needs.
- Fight denials: If the insurance company denies your claim, an attorney can help you fight back and demonstrate that your work directly caused your illness or injury.
- Negotiate a settlement: They will negotiate a settlement that maximizes your compensation.
Time Limits in a Workers’ Compensation Case
As the Division of Workers’ Compensation explains, different time limits could affect your workers’ compensation claim:
- You have 30 days from the date of your accident to report the injury to your employer.
- You have two years from the date of the injury to file a workers’ compensation claim.
A workers’ compensation lawyer will review your case and work with you to ensure you meet these and other critical legal deadlines.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Is Ready to Help
The lawyers with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine have years of experience helping people maximize their workers’ compensation claims. Call our office today at 1-800-747-3733 for a free case review. We work on contingency, which means we take no payment unless we win your case. The sooner you call, the sooner we can get started on your claim.
