As any lawyer who specializes in worker’s compensation will tell you, there are several “T’s” that need to be crossed in any worker’s compensation claim in order to minimize the risk of your claim being contested. Any contested claim will result in delays for approval, compensation, or authorized treatment.
Workers’ Comp, Step by Step
First, report the injury to your employer in writing as soon as possible after the injury occurs. A simple conversation is not sufficient, and does not mean much in court. Even if the injury is minor, it should be mentioned in a written statement, preferably in a medium that comes with a timestamp (text and email are great choices for this reason). Even if it doesn’t feel like a significant injury at the time, it needs to be reported to your employer. The pain may not feel bad now, but could be a completely different story tomorrow. And something that feels like nothing today, could wind up having been the beginning of a very big thing down the road, so you want it documented from the beginning. Without that written document, it is that much harder to prove the injury did not occur on your own time in your own garage. Email can suffice for this notification, but be sure to print out the email or forward it to a trusted family member or friend, so that you will not need to rely on your bosses’ email servers down the road to prove the notification happened.
Second, get medical attention as soon as you can. If your employer has medical services on site, go there and explain the exact nature of the injury. If not, go to the emergency room, an urgent care facility or your regular doctor within the next 24 hours. It is important that this happens within 24 hours, as it minimizes a court’s ability to suggest that the “real” injury occurred after the one you initially reported. The medical professionals need to see you right away to ascertain with accuracy the nature of your injury or your condition.
Third, file a claim as soon as possible. Your doctor may be able to facilitate this, but it is ultimately your responsibility. Ohio requires any claim for worker’s compensation to be filed within two years of an injury. However, it is safer to file your claim much closer to the date of the actual injury. If you would like assistance preparing your claim, our Cincinnati-based workers compensation attorneys here at Clements, Taylor, Butkovich & Cohen, LPA, are more than happy to assist you in preparing your documents. Writing and filing the claim itself can be a daunting and intimidating task, but our down-to-earth legal team can clear up anything that might be confusing. We understand the fine points of work injury claims so that you don’t need to. We offer free consultations, too, so that we can learn your story directly from you, and so that we can provide the best and most timely service for you. Most workers compensation claims are initially rejected by the relevant authorities, mostly due to paperwork errors, and those rejections add stress and delay to you receiving your benefits. Having the assistance of expert workers comp lawyers here in Cincinnati can shorten the process and reduce your stress.
Maximizing Your Work Injury Settlement
If you’ve followed our step by step “to do list”, you’ll be on the path to a fair settlement. But worker’s compensation claims aren’t always cookie cutter cases. Every injury comes with its own unique set of circumstances. Things like workplace injury law, how you were injured, the medical treatment you received, how well you followed through on the advice of your doctor, and many other things all play a part in the settlement you’re offered. Mistakes along the way could significantly reduce your benefit amount. Don’t let this happen to you. Contact our law firm for a free consultation and learn about potential problems with your case today. (Also remember that most cases taken on by our Cincinnati workers comp law firm are taken on a contingency basis. This means you don’t need to pay us up front, and we will be paid by a portion of your settlement, so you don’t need to add “worry about legal bills” on top of the stress of your injury and recovery.)
We can also help you in finding the most affordable and most appropriate medical care as well. If you are worried that your current medical care is proving too expensive through your insurance, or if your insurance company is refusing to reimburse you fully for your expenses, we can help you. There is no need for you to confront costly and unmanageable medical bills at a time when you’re already up to your eyeballs in worries and concerns. We know Cincinnati’s medical and insurance systems backwards and forwards, and we can advise you on how to get the best medical care well before your claim is approved and your benefit payments begin to arrive.
A Proven Law Firm Advocating for Your Rights
If your claim is disputed, rejected, or you want to get help with submitting your claim in the first place, contact our Cincinnati workers comp attorneys here at Clements, Taylor, Butkovich & Cohen, L.P.A., Co., here for you as injury lawyers in Cincinnati since 1988.