Injuries happen in the workplace every day.
Some injuries that appear insignificant can leave you with lasting health problems and require extensive rehabilitation. But it might be difficult to determine the extent of your injuries when you file for workers’ comp through your employer.
Below are some workers’ compensation tips to help you maximize your workers’ comp settlement and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Keep Track of Your Medical Records and Attend All Scheduled Appointments
Even if you believe your injuries don’t require medical attention, you still need to visit a doctor after a workplace injury.
You should schedule your doctor’s appointment right away. Insurance companies and employers will use delays in medical treatment to lower your workers’ comp claim by questioning the extent and severity of your injuries.
Doctor visits provide important paper trails that will help you prove the cost of your medical treatment and rehabilitation. Your doctor will assess the full range of your injuries and help you calculate the full extent of your medical treatment, including any future treatments and ongoing rehabilitation. Your doctor will provide you with a detailed description of your injuries and the recommended treatment.
Additionally, make sure you follow all recommended medical treatments. If you fail to follow your doctor’s advice, your employer or the insurance company can use this information against you.
Beware of Insurance Companies
Insurance companies will try to minimize the amount they pay for any workers’ comp claim.
If an insurance adjuster contacts you after your injury, they will likely promise you immediate payment, but the amount will undervalue the cost of your injuries. Do not accept the initial offer. Instead, wait to negotiate until you receive medical treatment and speak with a qualified workers’ comp attorney.
You should also wait to meet with the insurance adjuster until you have legal representation. Often, insurance adjusters will record your meeting and use your answers against you. Your attorney can help guide you through this meeting and protect your interests.
What Should I Do If I Disagree with My Workers’ Comp Payment Amount?
Employers and insurance companies normally want to pay as little as possible for workers’ comp claims. Although the amount they offer may cover up-front medical costs, it might not be enough to cover all future medical treatment and other injury-related expenses.
Calculating workers’ comp amounts can be confusing and difficult. An experienced workers’ comp attorney understands these calculations and how to prove the value of your claim. Before agreeing to any workers’ comp payment, you should first consult with an attorney to make sure you get a fair offer.
Contact a Qualified Workers’ Comp Attorney Today
If you suffered a workplace injury, you deserve fair compensation. The attorneys at Arechigo & Stokka have extensive experience handling our clients’ workers’ comp claims.
We believe you should focus on recovering from your injuries, not on fighting to receive fair compensation. We will work diligently and fight for your interests. Our dedicated staff will answer your questions and provide you with support and guidance throughout the claims process.
For a free consultation, call our office at 651-505-5943 or fill out an online form today.
Josh has been representing injured workers for over 10 years. Josh was born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota, and attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology. Mr. Stokka alson received his law degree from the Hamline University School of Law. During law school, Josh clerked at a Minnesota law firm specializing in personal injury and workers’ compensation. Prior to practicing in the area of workers’ compensation, Josh clerked for a judge in the 7th Judicial District in Minnesota. This valuable experience gave him insight into how judges think, do their jobs behind the scene, and how to frame a case in order to obtain a favorable result. Now, he focuses 100% of his practice on defending injured workers in Minnesota.