Every job comes with some injury risk, but some industries see more workers’ comp claims than others. For example, the wood product manufacturing industry has one of the highest per-capita rates of workers who become injured on the job. Even though wood product manufacturing is a relatively small field, the risk for injury is high, and thousands of workers in this sector file for workers’ comp each year.
Efforts are Ongoing to Make the Workplace Safer
Thankfully, because people are becoming more aware of the need for safe workplaces, technological developments have made some high-risk workplaces safer. In the transportation sector, innovations like lane-change notifications, backup mirrors, HID headlights, night-view lights, and automatic high-beam assists make this industry safer for truck drivers. However, several industries are still dangerous, so workers must know how to maximize compensation claims.
In the Event of an Injury, Follow These Steps to Maximize Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Not all injuries can be prevented, but how workers respond to an injury can influence their workers’ compensation claim. Workers should follow these steps to maximize their claim:
Seek immediate medical care. Don’t wait, as waiting for medical attention may jeopardize a workers’ comp claim.
Notify your employer immediately. Putting off formally notifying an employer is not helpful.
File a claim quickly. Delaying is not good, as that makes the insurance company wonder if the injury is work-related.
Get a doctor who represents you accurately. If you’re not satisfied with your doctor’s assessment of your injury, seek a second opinion.
Be consistent in your claims. Always stick with the truth and stay consistent when reporting how you were injured.
Seek legal representation as soon as possible. Ideally, you should seek legal representation before you file a workers’ comp claim. A legal professional can advise you on how to negotiate with employers and insurance companies, handle paperwork, present for an Independent Medical Examination, negotiate recorded statements, interact with insurance representatives, and effectively advocate for the full benefits package you deserve.
Understand the Terminology
Finally, and this deserves a section of its own, injured workers are much more likely to secure a full workers’ compensation benefits package when they understand the terminology of workers’ comp. Thankfully, the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation published a detailed glossary of workers’ compensation terms.[1]
Don’t Face a Workers’ Comp Case Alone
Workers who become injured or ill are almost certainly entitled to benefits. Those who say otherwise might be trying to save the insurance company money. That’s why injured workers should seek free legal advice before filing a claim. That way, they’ll ensure they continue to receive compensation while recovering from their injury. To get started, contact NRS Injury Law today at 855.977.6670.
Sources Cited:
[1] BWC. “Injured Worker Glossary.” Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, 2022. bwc.ohio.gov
