How To Start A Workers’ Compensation Claim

If you are injured at work, you’re probably at least somewhat aware that you may be eligible for workers’ compensation payments to help cover medical expenses and lost wages. While most people are aware of this system, many people don’t know the first thing about starting and winning an injury award. In today’s blog, we go over the basics of starting a workers’ compensation claim so that you can get the compensation you deserve after a Minnesota work injury.

Beginning A Work Comp Claim

Although all work injuries are different, there is a pretty standard system for collecting damages in the wake of an accident. For starters, one of the most important things you’ll want to do soon after the injury is to report it to your employer. They need to be made aware of your injury so that they can take some steps of their own, but reporting is especially important on your end because there are deadlines that need to be met. In Minnesota, injuries must be reported within 14 days of the injury. They may be accepted within 30 days, but only if that extra delay does not cause undue harm to the employer.

Aside from meeting mandatory deadlines, reporting the injury as soon as possible also makes it easier to collect evidence to back up your claims. Video feeds can be saved, witnesses can have their accounts documented, and memories are less likely to fade. Reporting the injury is typically the first step you’ll take, unless the following step takes precedent.

Next, you’ll want to have your injuries medically assessed and documented by a professional. Head to an emergency department or your primary care physician in order to undergo a diagnosis. Being able to point to a specific diagnosis or a clear indication of injury will really help to prevent any pushback from the insurance company about the severity of your injuries. Again, you’ll want to do this quickly, because delayed medical treatment can cast doubt over the origin and true extent of your injuries.

Contacting A Lawyer

After you’ve reported your injuries and had them medically assessed, the single best thing you can do for your case is to contact a workers’ compensation lawyer. They’ll be able to review your case, put forth a strong argument, file all the paperwork correctly and ensure you’re getting a fair award from the insurance company. If you try to go it alone, there’s a chance that you’ll mismanage paperwork, get taken advantage of by the insurance company or accept a lowball offer. You can avoid all of this by connecting with a workers’ compensation lawyer like Dean Margolis and letting him handle your case.

If you hire a lawyer, you’re going to have to pay them, but workers’ compensation lawyers work on what’s known as a contingent basis. That means they only get paid when you win, and they only take a small percentage of your total award. You won’t be on the hook for a large bill if your claim is denied, and better yet, your workers’ compensation lawyer has a significant vested interest in helping you get the biggest payday possible. The more money they get you for your claim, the more they’ll take home themselves. In fact, a worker’s compensation lawyer oftentimes pays for their services simply by helping you get a much larger award than you would be able to obtain on your own.

So if you’re considering starting a worker’s compensation claim, there are three things you’ll want to do in rapid succession in the wake of your injury:

Report the injury to your employment
Seek medical attention
Contact a workers’ compensation lawyer

If you do these three things, we’re confident that your case will get off on the right foot. If you have any questions about any aspect of your injury case, or you want a professional to handle all the complex paperwork and get you the biggest payday possible, reach out to Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm today.