If you are injured on the job, or from work related conditions, you can receive payment from your employer’s Workers’ Compensation program. When filing for Workers’ Compensation in Philadelphia, or anywhere for that matter, there are specific steps that must be followed.
Report Your Injury
If you are injured on the job, report the injury to the owner, supervisor, shop steward, or union rep depending on the policy at your company. Once reported, you will be asked to fill out a form providing details about the injury, including time and place. Fill it out completely and honestly. If you do not notify your employer, benefits may be delayed or denied. In addition, if you are injured on the job, notification must be given within 120 days of the injury. In the case of illness or disease that develops from your occupation, different reporting periods apply.
When you are injured, the clock starts ticking. Failing to report an injury in a timely fashion can result in your claim being reduced or even denied. Swift action is required.
See a Doctor
The doctor you see may be determined by the conditions of your employment. You can see the doctor of your choice unless your employer has reported your injury and has a list of six or more physicians posted. In that case, you must visit any one of the physicians for initial treatment, and must continue seeing that one or another on the list for at least 90 days. Depending on the diagnosis, you may be able to seek medical help from another source.
Types of Benefits
There are several different types of benefits available, depending on your injury and the limitations it places on you. Among the benefits are:
- Payment for lost wages
- Medical Care
- Specific loss benefits
- Total disability
- Partial disability
- Death Benefits
Each of these has specific requirements and guidelines and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
If Your Claim Is Denied
In some situations, a claim may be improperly denied. If this happens to you, you do have recourse. The circumstances behind the denial determine what action to take. The first step, though, is to file a petition with the Office of Adjudication, which is charged with resolving disputes and assigning Workers’ Compensation judges to hold hearings on cases.
If you believe your claim has been wrongfully denied when filing for Workers’ Compensation in Philadelphia, or you do not believe you have received the proper benefits, you are allowed to seek legal help. While you can represent yourself at hearings, only an attorney can act as your representative. Remember that insurance companies that fight Workers’ Compensation claims will send their attorneys in order to make sure they win the case. As such, it is not a good idea to enter this battle alone and on uneven ground. Take advantage of all the tools that are available to you.