Every employer in Hawaii is required to carry some form of workers’ compensation insurance to protect their employees if they’re injured in an accident or develop a medical condition as a result of their job duties. In addition to paying for medical treatment, these insurance policies also provide workers with wage replacement while they’re recovering or disability if they’re unable to rejoin the workforce. However, the process for collecting these benefits is often complex, requiring workers to complete several steps before receiving benefits.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Hawaii

Report Your Injury

Immediately after an accident, you should report the incident to your employer, even if you don’t seem to be seriously hurt. Many symptoms and complications only emerge later, when it may be too late to file a valid claim. If you’re seeking benefits due to a chronic condition, like carpal tunnel syndrome or back pain, fill out an injury report as soon as you receive your diagnosis.

See a Doctor

Regardless of the nature of your injury, a successful claim will require extensive documentation. In Hawaii, workers have the right to select their own health care provider, but you may only have one physician at any given time. If you need immediate attention, visit your nearest emergency room for treatment.

File a Claim

In Hawaii, contacting the Hawaii Disability Compensation Division is your employer’s responsibility. However, if your employer fails to do so, you can file a claim yourself by submitting form WC-5 to the Division. It may also be in your best interests to contact a workers’ compensation attorney, who can ensure the paperwork is completed correctly and represent your interests if an appeal is necessary.

The workers’ compensation attorneys at Charles H. Brower Law Corporation pride themselves on giving clients throughout Honolulu the caring attention and effective legal counsel they need. With their wide-ranging expertise and reputation for high-quality service, you can rely on this team to help you get the benefits you deserve. For more on their experience with workers’ compensation cases, visit their website today, or call (808) 526-2688 to schedule an initial consultation.