Workers’ compensation claims need to be filed in a timely manner. Oftentimes, you must report your injuries to your employers within 30 days in order to be eligible for benefits. Your employer then must report the incident or situation to his or her insurance company within ten days of you filing your report. From there it varies from state to state how long you have to file a claim.
Part of the reason for these tight deadlines is so that medical professional can properly diagnose your situation. The medical experts need to determine whether or not your injury was caused on the job. For this diagnosis to be accurate, it needs to happen as soon as it is possible after the incident. If your condition is due to long-term factors rather than a single incident – repetitive strain injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, eye strain back injuries due to how you sit or stand on the job, etc. – there is still a sense of urgency. Even though these symptoms take some time to show, the medical specialists still need to review them in a timely manner.
Can an Employer Refuse to File a Claim on your Behalf?
An employer who refuses to file a workers’ comp claim on behalf of his or her employee is breaking the law. If the employer does not have workers comp coverage, going to an attorney may be your only path toward recouping medical costs and lost wages. Be sure to keep accurate records, hold onto your receipts and medical bills, and keep track of any work hours lost due to your injury or condition.