For many Americans, not being able to work due to illness or injury can be financially devastating. Much of the time, the injury or illness itself happens at work. If you have been injured or suffered an illness that is work related, workers compensation can help. Workers compensation is an insurance program that can help cover some of your costs while you are away from work. While workers compensation can be very helpful, the process of filing a claim can be confusing at times. Here's what you should know when it comes to workers compensation.
There Are Time Limits
The first thing that you should be aware of when it comes to workers compensation claims is that there are time limits. After being injured or becoming ill, you should report your injury to your employer as soon as you can. Workers compensation laws vary from state to state in terms of the time limit for reporting. Most states have deadlines between 10 and 90 days for reporting your injuries to your employer. For filing workers compensation claims, the time limit in most states ranges from one to three years. Even if your injury seems mild, reporting it and making a claim as quickly as possible is the best course of action.
Laws Vary from State to State
In many cases, workers compensation is fairly straightforward. In other situations, it can be a difficult process to navigate without legal help. Workers compensation laws vary from state to state in what they cover and what is needed to qualify for benefits. In many cases, after an injury you are entitled to medical treatment, disability payments, vocational rehabilitation, and a permanent settlement if your injury causes a disability. There are things, such as whether or not you can choose your doctors, that vary depending on the state you are in.
A Lawyer Can Help
If you are having difficulty with your workers compensation claim or if your claim has been denied, hiring a workers compensation lawyer is a good idea. A lawyer can walk you through the process and ensure that you are able to receive the benefits you need. If your benefits have been denied, they can help you build your case and help you get a settlement. Workers compensation lawyers do not charge fees, instead they are paid a percentage of the settlement. This percentage ranges from 15 to 25 percent.
Workers compensation can be very helpful and can help you stay afloat after a workplace illness or injury. However, there are a few things you should know. There are time limits in which you need to make your claim. The laws for workers compensation vary from state to state. Because of the complexity of these laws, hiring a lawyer can be the right course of action.
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