What should you do after you sustain an injury at work?
Report the incident to your employer immediately.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Inform the doctor that you were injured at work and what hurts.
Have your doctor write work restrictions which you can provide to your employer.
Follow your doctor’s recommendations, both in terms of treatment recommendations and in terms of physical restrictions.
Contact Gerald W. Bosch to confirm that your claim is being handled properly. There is no charge for the initial consultation. Further, you would not pay any attorney fees unless there is a recovery of disputed benefits as a result of our involvement. In other words, as long as the insurance company continues to pay the appropriate benefits, you do not pay attorney fees even though you would obtain legal advice when you need it most… now. The decisions you make now may have a significant impact on your claim for additional benefits.
What happens if the insurer denies your benefits?
The insurer may deny the entire injury, may deny certain body parts, or they may deny your entitlement to available workers’ compensation benefits like wage loss benefits or medical treatment.
You are entitled to file a claim for these benefits and you need to act quickly to protect your benefits. The process to obtain payment of benefits can be confusing, complicated and difficult to do on you own. The insurance company has lawyers on their side; you should, too.
Contact attorney Gerald W. Bosch to file discuss your rights and to file the necessary petitions or objections to ensure you are paid all appropriate workers’ compensation benefits.
Do you have to treat with a company doctor?
In most cases, an injured worker is free to choose their own doctor.
Even if you have treated with the employer/insurer’s doctor on several occasions, you may still be able to chose your own doctor for a second opinion and a change of physician.
Contact attorney Gerald W. Bosch to ensure you get the medical care you need from health care providers you choose.
What is an IME (independent medical examination)?
An independent medical examination (“IME”)is really an adverse medical examination requested by the workers’ compensation insurer with a physician of their choice. The doctor conducting the evaluation is not there to provide you with medical treatment; they are solely there to give the insurance company their opinions regarding the issues involved with your case, such as whether your injury is work related, the extent of injury, whether you need restrictions, whether you need additional medical care, whether you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), and the whether you have a ratable permanent partial disability. This is a very important event in your case and can have a significant impact on your claim for additional benefits. You should contact attorney Gerald W. Bosch to seek immediate advice upon receipt of notice of an independent medical examination.
Do I need to pay out-of-pocket for medical treatment
and can I be reimbursed travel expenses?
Medical treatment expense is paid by the workers’ compensation insurer directly to your doctors, therapists, and pharmacists. Typically, there are no out-of-pocket expenses. If you do pay for something out-of-pocket, like a prescription or a crutch or TENS supplies, the workers’ compensation insurer must reimburse you. You are also reimbursed for your reasonable expenses incurred to obtain medical treatment, such as mileage, parking expense, and cab or bus fares. Keep accurate records and submit the records to your insurer for reimbursement.
Should I hire an attorney?
Employers and Insurers encourage injured workers not to hire an attorney. They have their own best interests in mind. Their goal is to close claims as quickly as possible for as little as possible. As such, they may not accurately represent your entitlement to benefits. The Workers’ Compensation Act is complex with numerous required procedures, time limits and specifications that may result in the loss of benefits, if not followed properly by the injured worker. You are at a disadvantage without an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer to ensure that your rights are protected and you receive the appropriate benefits. The workers’ compensation insurance company has lawyers on their side; so should you. Contact Gerald W. Bosch to discuss your rights and benefits in complete confidentiality. There is no charge for the initial consultation. Further, you would not pay any attorney fees unless there is a recovery of disputed benefits as a result of our involvement. In other words, as long as the insurance company continues to pay the appropriate benefits, you do not pay attorney fees even though you would obtain legal advice when you need it most… now. The decisions you make now may have a significant impact on your claim for additional benefits.
