Notate Your Work-Related Injury And Be Compensated
Hurt workers have a valuable resource available to them in workers' compensation. This insurance coverage is meant to help those hurt from a work-related injury. From the moment you file your claim with the carrier, documentation is essential. Read on to find out why you should keep up with your recovery and how to do so.
What to Know About Pain Journals
Experts in personal injury and work-related injuries are increasingly advising claimants to keep a pain journal. This method of writing about the effects of the injury on your life is not only therapeutic, but it helps you stay organized and preserves historic data. A pain journal is not just about making daily entries and venting about your situation – it's about showing proof of the way the injury is affecting you and what's being done to address it.
When Claims Go Wrong
Workers' compensation claims go smoothly for most hurt workers. The worker seeks medical care, a claim is filed, and they can expect to have their medical bills covered. Additionally, the hurt worker can remain at home while they get better and be paid a partial salary from the workers' compensation carrier. Unfortunately, some claimants are not as lucky. Claims can be denied for various reasons. Additionally, claims that are approved can be suddenly suspended and the hurt worker is ordered to return to their job or face a job loss. You may begin the claims process with hopes of being able to return to work after being paid what you are owed, but if problems with the claim should arise, you will be glad you have the documentation needed to prove your case under appeal. Here are a few ways a pain journal could help you with a disputed claim:
- You are told that your injury is not severe enough to qualify for benefits. A record of your day-to-day struggle with the pain from your injury will help lend credence to the severity of the injury.
- You are cleared for work but you are still in too much pain to work at your job. If you are suffering from your injuries every day and notice problems with each movement, it stands to reason that you may not be ready to return to work.
- Not all injuries get better. For example, a back injury can cause problems that might continue to affect you for the rest of your life. You deserve to be paid for that permanent injury but you might encounter nothing but problems with the workers' compensation carrier. Speak to a workers' compensation lawyer for help in negotiating a settlement that covers your needs.
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