Every type of work carries some risk of injury, which can range from minor cuts to significant damage. Fortunately, workers’ compensation benefits cover your medical treatment and lost wages if you experience an injury while working. Below are several strategies to help you claim and receive this aid. 

What Should You Do to Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Montana?

1. Notify Your Employer 

As soon you can after the accident, tell your supervisor or employer about the event and injury. If you don’t give notice in the first 30 days after the accident, you can lose your right to claim benefits. However, if the injury appears later than when the accident occurred, you may still be entitled to compensation. The best way to give notice to an employer is by filling out and submitting the First Report of Injury (FROI). This is a document that contains all of the necessary information to help you get through a claim.

2. Seek Medical Attention

No matter how minor the incident seems, you should immediately visit a doctor for an evaluation after a workplace injury. Sometimes an insignificant event without a visible injury develops into a severe problem, such as a fall that causes internal injuries.

Tell the doctor everything you remember about the accident, as well as your physical condition before and after it happened. Clearly state that the accident is work-related so that they know to bill your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer.

3. Follow the Rules

Complying with all the workers’ compensation rules protects your right to recover full benefits for medical care and lost wages. For example, Montana law allows you to select the treating physician for your first medical visit. After the insurer accepts responsibility, they can then designate the treatment providers or approve one that you choose.

Hiring an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to guide you through the complex procedures, handle paperwork, and negotiate for you allows you to focus on recovering and returning to work.

When you need workers’ compensation advice and representation, turn to Bothe & Lauridsen PC in Columbia Falls, MT. These workplace injury attorneys have more than 100 years of combined legal experience in helping injured workers obtain all of the benefits that they deserve. To learn how they can help you, visit the website. Call (406) 892-2193 to schedule an appointment.