I have been hurt on the job. What do I do?
If you experience a life or limb threatening injury on the job, seek
immediate medical attention at the nearest emergency room and then notify your supervisor
in writing. A life or limb threatening injury means an injury that you believe threatens a
portion of your body or your life in such a way that immediate medical care is needed to
prevent your death or serious damage. In all other instances, notify your employer or
supervisor that you have been injured before obtaining any medical care. All injuries, no
matter how small, should be reported to your employer.
If your employer has designated a medical provider before or at the time
of the injury, you will be required to see that provider for medical care. If you choose
to seek your own medical care it may result in nonpayment of medical benefits and you may
be liable for your medical costs. If your employer does not direct you to a medical
provider, you may seek treatment from the provider of your choice.
By law, you must notify your employer in writing within four working
days of an injury, even if you have advised them verbally. If you do not report your
injury to your employer in writing within four working days, you may be penalized and lose
up to one day's compensation for each day's delay, provided that your employer has posted
a sign requiring four days' written notice. You may still file a claim for benefits even
if you are late reporting the injury to your employer.
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The insurance
company has not responded or has denied my claim. What are my options?
The insurance company may deny your
claim for a variety of reasons. If this happens, you should contact the
insurance company adjuster to discuss this decision. Sometimes a claim is
denied because the insurance adjuster does not have complete and accurate
information. You may be able to supply important information to assist the
process. An insurance company may also deny a claim if the adjuster has reason
to believe that the injury is not work related or if it is believed that
further investigation is necessary.
If the workers' compensation insurance
company denies your claim, you may be responsible for all medical bills
associated with the illness or injury. You may then be eligible for coverage
through your private health care insurance policy. If you feel your claim has
been incorrectly denied, there are several options available to you. For more
information on these options and the time limits that must be followed,
contact the Division of Workers' Compensation.
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Can I choose my own doctor for an on-the-job
injury?
Your employer has the right in the first
instance to designate the medical provider that injured employees must use. If
your employer does not do so at the time of the injury, you may choose your
own medical provider.
After the claim is filed, the insurance
company may request that you be examined by another doctor of its choice, at
its expense. If you do not go to this examination, the insurance company may
ask the Division for permission to stop your benefits.
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"Frequently Asked Questions by Employers"
