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Compensation Claim

How To Get The Best Out Of Your Workers Compensation Claim

 When one has suffered an injury within the scope of their employment, workers compensation benefits helps one to be back on their feet again. However, not everyone knows the dos and don’ts when it comes to filing workers compensation benefits. If you’re eligible to receive workers compensation benefits, you must know how to maximize your compensation to ensure you obtain the best. Just like any other insurance, workers compensation insurance, work out tirelessly to ensure you recoup back as little as possible for your claim. Thus, it would pay to avoid common mistakes to ensure you obtain full and fair compensation.

Ways To Get The Best Out Of Your Workers Compensation Case

 Once you are sure that your illness or injury is to be covered by workers compensation insurance, you should pursue your claim and avoid being taken advantage of by the insurance company. It’s possible to get the best if you find Anchorage law firms to get legal advice and tips on how you can make the most out of your claim. Thus, it’s crucial to keep the below points in mind:

  • Submit an injury report to your immediate supervisor or manager within 30 days of the injury: Reporting the injury or illness early is commendable; failure to do so may lead to your claim denial.
  • Receive the right medical treatment: Getting medical treatment as soon as possible proves to the insurer that indeed you suffered. It also helps to obtain a quick recovery.
  • Change of your treating doctor: Frequently, injured workers get to change their treating doctor when they realize they are not working towards their best interests or getting the best treatment. Change of treating doctor should be done once and with the approval from the workers’ insurance company.
  • Be prepared for an independent medical examination: The insurer will be much interested in knowing whether your injuries are work-related and where the work restrictions provided by your treating doctor are necessary. Often, you will find independent medical examinations being conducted in cases where the insurance company wants to reduce your benefits.
  • Understand the available workers’ compensation benefits: In Alaska, workers compensation insurance companies are supposed to pay for all the necessary medical expenses related to illness or injury. Benefits provided include:
  • Temporary total disability benefits that are paid every two weeks until the worker is medically stable or can return to work. Being medically stable is when one doesn’t have further improvements to their injury.
  • Temporary partial disability benefits to be paid when an injured worker can work for a less than a full day while fully recovering. Such payments are paid every two weeks and should not exceed the weekly temporary total disability payments. For one to obtain these payments, they must have proof of their actual wages. The benefits are to be paid until one obtains medical stability or up to 5 years, whichever occurs first.
  • Permanent partial disability benefits paid in addition to the above in cases where one loses some body parts. A treating doctor should be able to rate the percentage of the loss you incurred.
  • Permanent total disability paid when one can no longer work due to the injury or illness.
  • Learn how to calculate your maximum and minimum compensation rates: Each state has its own rules when it comes to calculation of compensation rates. The only thing to keep in mind is that any weekly compensation rate should not exceed the maximum weekly compensation rate.
  • Be on time for an appointment: This is crucial, especially when one has to attend legal meetings. Failure to attend or being late without any concrete reason places you at risk to lose your rights to obtain benefits.
  •  Hire a workers compensation lawyer: Whether your claim is complicated or not, it pays to have experienced lawyers help you on your case. Often, the insurance company will reduce or deny your benefits or even keep on requesting for unnecessary information.

 Any compensation benefits should be paid directly to you. Not unless it belongs to a deceased in which case the eligible dependents get the benefits. In Alaska, you may get the first payment which is due 14 days after you acknowledge your employer of the illness or injury or even death.

 Filing your Workers Compensation Claim

 With the above information, you can be assured of maximizing your workers’ compensation benefits. Once you file a claim, you should expect a response in not more than 30 days. The insurance company then starts to gather evidence to make sure your injury or illness is work-related. If you find out that your claim has been denied, or you disagree with the amount provided, you have a right to dispute your case. In any case, you should consider having to work out your case with a workers compensation lawyer who can help you navigate through the legal process.