Accidents occur everywhere, be it at school, home, or at leisure. People also get hurt on their work premises or whilst working outdoors (e.g. onsite). Many people don’t know what to do in these circumstances and are unaware of the financial burden that can come with being seriously injured at work.
Sadly, it often takes more than a side hustle to resolve the situation. If you – or someone close to you – have recently experienced such an event, this article will provide guidance on how to handle financial worries.
Consult An Attorney
From day one, it’s essential that you understand the options that are available to you. Having an attorney by your side throughout this process can be extremely helpful, and they would understand how things like workers’ compensation operate. Reading through their website would help you identify any potential gaps that need filling in so you can receive full coverage. They’d also be able to anticipate the kind of issues you may have to face further down the road.
You can find the state of Arkansas in the South Central region of the US, and it’s home to over three million people. By going online people can find personal injury lawyers in Arkansas and request free case evaluations and consultations. Some lawyers specialize in things like workplace injuries and employment law, and you can also view their accreditations and affiliations online.
File A Claim For Workers’ Compensation
There’s no need to think you have no choice but to suffer in silence after an on-the-job injury. It is important to file a claim for workers’ compensation immediately, in order to protect yourself and your family financially. You should urgently tell your employer that the accident has occurred at work, and get a workers’ compensation claim form from him/her.
Fill out the necessary information clearly and completely so that you don’t lose any of your rights while you wait for your claim to be considered. An attorney would be familiar with the documentation and could ensure you complete it correctly.
Review Your Company’s Disability Insurance Policy
In some cases, your company will provide this to cover any lost income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. It’s therefore important that you gain access to this document so you can fully read its contents (ideally with the help of a lawyer). Review the company’s policy and determine your eligibility for coverage under the plan. If it’s determined that there was no fault on your part in regards to the work accident, you need to find out which medical conditions are covered by the policy.
It may be possible for you to file claims for both workers’ compensation benefits and employer-provided disability insurance, without having them offset one another. This means you wouldn’t need to pay back money received from one when receiving funds from the other. Most policies have limits on how long they can payout, so don’t assume the benefits will be permanent if they are approved.
Now Apply For Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits
If you have been seriously injured at work, apply for these benefits. In order to be eligible to do so, a person must meet the following criteria:
Being unable to perform any job that they are qualified to do or have been trained to do, due to their physical/mental condition.
Meeting the medical requirements, which includes having sufficient evidence of your impairment(s) and the severity of its nature
Having worked long enough in terms of Social Security (through the payment of payroll taxes during covered employment). This doesn’t apply if you are self-employed.
Understand Your Rights And Your Employer’s Responsibilities
You need to fully appreciate what you’re entitled to, so you don’t settle for anything less than you deserve. Your employer will have various obligations they must fulfill, for instance, they must report your injury to the employer’s workers’ compensation carrier. They should also provide you with a claim number. You should not accept any payments from them at this stage, because you may be waiving some of your rights by doing so.
Your employer must also provide you with a list of available physicians in the area. Whilst they may suggest that you try certain doctors first, they can’t insist that use a specific one. As a result, you are entitled to choose your own physician if you have a personal preference.
Understand Your Responsibilities
This is an area where your attorney can really help you. It’s paramount that you fully understand the things you need to do so you can fully support your position. For instance, keep copies of all correspondence relating to your employer, doctor, or other parties involved in the process.
Always retain copies of your medical bills, even if they’ve been paid by your insurance. This is just in case there’s a dispute with the company later on.
Discover The Medical Implications
You’ll need to ensure that you receive adequate medical treatment and a complete diagnosis of your condition. This will help you to understand the medical implications of your injuries and how they may affect your life in the future. You should be careful not to make any major decisions like selling your home or giving up work until this point as it could damage your case if things change later on.
Seek a medical opinion as to how long you could be out of work, whether you should seek alternative employment following disability, or whether you will never be able to work again. There could be house modifications you need to make, such as a stairlift, wheelchair ramp, handlebars or a walk-in bath or shower. Once you have all the information to hand you’ll more fully understand the financial implications so you can respond appropriately.
Hopefully, you will get through this new chapter of your life as you receive medical treatment and discover your ‘new normal.’ With the help of an experienced and qualified lawyer, you’ll be able to receive the maximum financial support available, so you can move on with your life.
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