Navigating the Workers' Compensation Claims Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step-by-Step Workers’ Comp Claim Guide
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in Alabama, 29,400 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported in a recent year by private industry employees. Many of these conditions likely led to a workers’ compensation claim.
If you have a work-related injury and need to file a claim, Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr. can help. Our Alabama workers’ compensation attorney understands how to best navigate the workers’ compensation claims process to maximize your benefits.
Steps in the Workers’ Compensation Claims Process
The workers’ compensation claims process in Alabama can be quite overwhelming and frustrating. Below are usual steps in the process and common pitfalls to avoid.
Step 1: Report the Injury
In Alabama, the law requires you to notify your employer within five days of an accident. So, if you’re hoping to claim workers’ compensation, the first thing you do is report your injury and do it in writing, even if the injury only seems minor. With your injury reported, you’re creating a paper trail and proof that an insurance company cannot dispute.
Step 2: Get Medical Treatment
The second thing you must do after reporting your injury is see a doctor. In Alabama, your employer has the right to choose the doctor you see for treatment, and unfortunately, if you see your own doctor without approval, you could be responsible for the bill.
However, when you need emergency care, pre-approval for a doctor is not required as long as you notify your employer afterward. Once you see a doctor, ensure that you follow the treatment plan closely and attend all scheduled appointments.
Step 3: Initiate the Claim
In many cases, after you have reported the injury and have seen a doctor, your employer must file a workers' compensation claim on your behalf. However, it's best to ask for confirmation, as well as request a claim number for your records.
Step 4: Understand Your Benefits
You should always understand what benefits are available to you. Some workers' compensation claim benefits in Alabama cover disability and wage replacement benefits, such as Temporary Total Disability (TTD) and Permanent Partial/Total Disability (PP/PTD).
Other benefits cover medical treatment and vocational rehabilitation if you are unable to return to the same type of work. At the Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr., our workers’ compensation lawyer can identify which benefits you should fight for.
Step 5: Keep Records
You’ll want to keep detailed records from the beginning. We recommend holding onto every document related to your case, including medical records, accident reports, and correspondence with the insurance company or your employer. With a detailed paper trail, you have protection against questioned or delayed workers’ compensation claims.
Step 6: Be Ready for Disputes
Unfortunately, even if you do everything right, it's possible that your claim will be denied or your benefits reduced. Often, Alabama insurance companies argue that injuries are not as serious as you claim or that you can return to work quicker than your doctor recommends. In these instances, it's best to have a lawyer in your corner who can help you appeal your claim.
Contact an Alabama Workers’ Compensation Attorney Right Away
Workers' compensation claims in Alabama are not always easy to navigate, and we understand this at the Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr. We also understand that when benefits are delayed or denied, the process can become even more stressful and frustrating.
That’s why it's a good idea to speak with an Alabama workers’ compensation attorney at our law firm. We’re recognized for helping injured Alabama workers protect their rights and obtain the workers' comp benefits they deserve. So, contact our team here for a consultation.
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. These recoveries and testimonials are not an indication of future results. Every case is different, and regardless of what friends, family, or other individuals may say about what a case is worth, each case must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances as they apply to the law. The valuation of a case depends on the facts, the injuries, the jurisdiction, the venue, the witnesses, the parties, and the testimony, among other factors. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
The Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr. serves Montgomery County, Pike County, Elmore County, Autauga County, the River Region of Alabama and throughout the State of Alabama, including Montgomery, Troy, Wetumpka Prattville, Selma and Tuskegee. No attorney-client relationship is established by requesting a consultation or emailing Attorney Richard F. Matthews, Jr.. Information submitted in such communication is not privileged and may be subject to disclosure.
