If You’ve Been Injured at Work, You Need a Workers Compensation Lawyer You Can Trust.

As a workers compensation lawyer serving the Memphis, Nashville, and Mid-South areas for more than thirty years, I’ve seen every type of workers comp claim you can imagine.

Today, I want to de-mystify the process of filing these claims so you can know what to expect.

If you’ve been injured on the job, read on to learn about each step of filing a workers compensation claim.

Step 1: Get immediate medical attention for your job related injury. 

This is first and foremost to make sure that you get the medical care you need. It’s also a crucial step in workers compensation cases, as you will need to provide solid documentation of your injury when you file a claim. The longer you wait to get medical attention, the harder this will be.

Step 2: Inform your employer of your injury as soon as possible.

Every state has its own procedures for processing. Some states allow up to two years from the date you realized you were sick or immobilized, and some allow only a few days. A workers compensation attorney can advise you about when paperwork and other deadlines must be met.

Step 3: Fill out the necessary paperwork.

Every employer should have workers compensation claim forms on hand. It’s important to fill these out correctly to reduce the chance of a denial or delay in the process. This is where the guidance of a workers compensation lawyer is invaluable.

After you submit the paperwork to your employer, they are obligated to submit it to their insurance company. Be sure to confirm when they have submitted it and document the date and time of submittal.

Step 4: Fight any disputes to the claim from your employer. 

Once you’ve filed the paperwork, if there is no dispute from your employer or the insurance carrier regarding your claim, it should be approved. Unfortunately, that’s not always what happens.

Often, employers fight these claims because they want to avoid an increase in their compensation insurance rates. As a result, they may use whatever leverage they can to stall or stop the process. It is imperative that you produce sound documentation like medical bills, exams, and other records of your injury, sickness, and treatment. Again, this is where having a workers compensation lawyer to guide you is key.

Step 5: Receive your compensation.

If you haven’t lost income, you are likely only seeking reimbursement for your medical bills. But if you cannot work because of your injury, you should receive checks to cover most of your lost wages. This usually happens within two weeks of the claim’s approval. When you return to work, your employer will inform the insurance company to stop sending checks.

Be realistic about the process.

While the steps above may sound simple, the process likely will not be. First, the process can move slowly. Second, your employer or insurer may reject your claim. This may require hiring a lawyer and taking the matter to court. Your best chance at filing a successful claim and getting maximum compensation is to hire a workers compensation lawyer you trust.

Speak to an experienced workers compensation lawyer today for FREE.

My team at Darrell Castle & Associates, PLLC has been winning workers compensation cases for decades, and we want to do the same for you.

Call us today at (901) 327-1212 or contact us online for a FREE evaluation of your case. We will go over all the details with you and answer every question you have, no strings attached.

You are entitled to compensation for your injury and we’ll make sure you get it. Call us today to hear how we can help.