Injuries at work happen all the time. Some workers may ponder whether or not they really need to seek workers’ compensation. Are they going to qualify? Is it serious enough? Who gets to make these types of decisions?
This can be difficult to discern since injuries run the gamut from minor scrapes to disabilities. But there are a few things you can consider to determine if it’s time to file a claim or not.
Was first aid enough?
As a general rule of thumb, if your workplace’s first aid kit was enough for you to be treated, then you probably don’t need to file a workers’ comp claim. Say that you cut your hand on a tool, but there was just mild bleeding and all it took was a Band-Aid. You don’t need to file workers’ comp for something so minor. Many workers have scrapes, bruises and other issues that pop up on a regular basis, especially if they work with their hands.
What needed to be covered?
The second thing to think about is what workers’ comp is intended to cover. This includes things like initial medical expenses, the cost of ongoing medical care, lost wages while the individual couldn’t come into work and, if the person passes away due to the illness or injury, the funeral expenses that their family will face.
Have you incurred these types of costs? If you’ve suffered a head injury that required a trip to the emergency room, for instance, then you probably need to file a workers’ comp claim. Even if you only miss one day of work, you might want to file in order to make up for those lost wages.
Seeking the compensation you need
When these types of costs crop up, that’s when you need to know how to look into all of the legal options at your disposal. Remember that things can get complicated, especially if the insurance company or your employer says the injury isn’t actually that severe. This is why you definitely want to know about the steps you can take to put yourself first.
