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In Virginia, workers injured on the job are given compensation. If you suffered injuries due to a work-related activity or a work condition, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. To make sure you do not violate any of the Virginia workers compensation laws, you should be aware of the proper steps to take when trying to make a claim. These steps include the following:
Reporting Your Injury to Your Employer
To initiate the workers’ comp process, you need to provide your employer with written notification within thirty days of the workplace accident. If you miss this deadline, your workers’ comp claim will be denied. While thirty days may seem like a long time, days can quickly pass, so you want to report the injury as soon as possible.
Seeking Medical Attention
Even if you think your work-related injuries are not serious enough, you still have to go to a doctor to get prompt medical attention. Some injuries may initially seem smaller but can develop into a life-threatening condition. A doctor can assess your condition and give you appropriate treatment. Also, seeing a doctor promptly can help you avoid a denial from the insurance company.
Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim
Fill out a Claim Form and file it with the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission. You should do this within 2 years of accident or injury. Otherwise, you might not be able to receive benefits. Once you file the claim, the Commission will review it and decide whether or not to award you benefits.
Collecting Documentation
Ensure you keep records of all documents relevant to your claim because they can serve as evidence. These include photos of your injury, disability slips provided by your doctor, medical records, work log or timesheet, medical bills and receipts, and others.
Speaking with an Attorney
While you may be able to pursue compensation on your own, an experienced workers’ comp attorney can provide you with proper legal guidance. You may find the paperwork and the claims process confusing. And dealing with the workers’ compensation insurer can be exhausting. Insurance providers will employ tricks to undermine your injuries. Unfortunately, your employer might also do this.
Even if you think are treated fairly by your employer or their insurance provider, you still have to have a full understanding of your rights and the processes involved. You can consider consulting an attorney without hiring their full services. Your initial consultation is usually free and confidential; thus, you have nothing to lose by talking to them.
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