Whether you’re working with blowtorches or cranes or in a carpeted office answering phones, accidents can happen. As such, employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover medical care, rehabilitation, and pay for lost wages in the event of a workplace injury. If you suffer a workplace accident, the following guide will help you pursue your claim for benefits.

How to Proceed in a Workers' Comp Case

1. Seek Medical Attention

Getting a medical exam safeguards your health and establishes a baseline in case your condition worsens. The first time you seek care and treatment, you can have the right to choose the doctor. After your employer’s insurer accepts liability for the claim, they can choose a different medical provider or approve the one you selected.

2. Report Your Injury

Reporting your accident and injury as soon as possible protects your right to claim benefits. First, notify your supervisor or employer of your accident within 30 days after it happens. Then complete the First Report of Injury (FROI) form and submit it to your employer. Employers use the same form to report employee injuries to their workers’ compensation insurers.  

3. Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions

Your doctor will tell you when you are able to return to work part-time, on light duty, or full time. Not following their instructions can jeopardize your health and the right to continued benefits. If your physician says you are unable to go back to the same job, you may be entitled to retraining or permanent partial compensation.

If you’ve suffered a workplace injury, consult the attorneys at Bothe & Lauridsen PC in Columbia Falls, MT. Their experienced lawyers will guide you through the workers’ compensation claim and handle any issues that arise. They negotiate settlements, help resolve claim disputes, fight denials, and make sure their clients receive the medical care and job retraining they deserve. Visit their website for details and call (406) 892-2193 to schedule a consultation appointment.