Even though employers are required to implement strict health and safety regulations in the workplace, a considerable number of employees still succumb to work-related injuries. Sadly, some people will sustain serious or life-changing injuries when they’re hurt at work, while others may lose their life because of a workplace accident.
When you’ve been hurt at work, it’s important to know what to do next. You may need to report your injuries to your employer straight away, for example. This enables them to record the incident and take action to prevent anyone else from being hurt in the same way.
Claiming Financial Compensation
If your injuries require medical treatment, it’s likely you’ll need to take time off work. As well as obtaining the appropriate treatment, you may need time to recover. As a result, many workplace injuries affect a worker’s income. Fortunately, you don’t have to be left out of pocket or in debt because you’ve been hurt at work.
Workers’ compensation is designed to ensure that you receive financial compensation for an injury or illness that’s been caused or exacerbated by a work-related activity. You can claim three basic benefits when you apply for workers’ compensation in Minnesota: wage loss, medical rehabilitation, and vocational rehabilitation.
Knowing Which Benefits to Claim
If you decide to claim workers’ compensation, it’s vital that you submit the appropriate evidence and claim the right type of compensation. Failing to do so could result in your claim being denied, delayed or you could get less than you deserve.
However, making a workers’ comp claim isn’t always as straightforward as it might seem. When you’re claiming wage loss benefits, for example, you’ll need to determine whether you’re entitled to the following:
- Waiting period
- Temporary total disability
- Temporary partial disability
- Permanent total disability
- Permanent partial disability
- Dependency benefits
- Annual adjustment of benefits
- Direct deposit
Due to the complexities associated with claiming workers’ comp, it’s often beneficial to seek expert advice. By working with personal injury lawyers, for example, you can ensure that your claim is submitted accurately, on time, and in accordance with the relevant procedures.
How Long Does It Take to Get Workers’ Comp?
Obtaining workers’ compensation can take a fairly long time, particularly if your application is disputed or goes to court. In fact, it’s not unusual for cases to take longer than 12 months to be fully resolved. However, you may be able to speed up the process by agreeing to a settlement, rather than litigating any disputes. To learn more about the potential benefits of agreeing to a workers’ comp settlement, take a look at this blog post by mottazsiskinjurylaw.com.
When you’re recovering from an injury or adjusting to changes in your lifestyle, the extra stress of handling your own workers’ comp claim can seem overwhelming. By accessing legal advice and representation, you can hand over the responsibility of your case to experienced attorneys. As well as helping you to get the workers’ compensation you deserve, this will give you the opportunity you need to prioritize your recovery and well-being.