Worker's Compensation - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is Workers' Compensation?
2. How long do I have to work to be covered under Workers' Compensation?
3. How do I know if the company I work for is covered by Workers' Compensation?
4. When should I report an accident that happened on the job?
5. What do I do about a doctor?
6. Who pays for the doctor?
7. What medical treatment will be paid?
8. What if my injury keeps me from getting a job?
9. What kind of benefits will I receive if I have a permanent disability?
10. Can I be compensated for loss of sight or hearing or a limb?
11. Can I receive benefits if I have lost the use of a part of my body?
12. If I die as a result of an on-the-job accident, can my dependents receive benefits?
1. What is Workers' Compensation?
Workers' compensation is an accident insurance program paid by your employer which may provide you with medical, rehabilitation and income benefits if you are injured on the job. These benefits are provided to help you return to work. It also provides benefits to your dependents if you die as a result of a job related injury. In a workeman's compensation claim it is essential to hire an attorney to represent the interests of you and your loved one in order to receive the maximum beneifits that you deserve. The comapny you work for will have an attorney present at the hearings and with out an attorney you put yourself in jeopardy. Our firm would love the opportunity to fight for you and your loved ones.
2. How long do I have to work to be covered under Workers' Compensation?
You are covered from the first day on your job.
3. How do I know if the company I work for is covered by Workers' Compensation?
The law requires any business with three or more workers, including regular part-time workers, to have workers' compensation insurance.
4. When should I report an accident that happened on the job?
You should report any accident to your employer (boss, foreman, or supervisor) immediately. If you wait longer than 30 days, you might lose your benefits.
5. What do I do about a doctor?
Your employer is required to post information identifying medical care providers. Your employer may satisfy this requirement in one of the following ways:
- Post a Traditional Panel of Physicians consisting of a minimum of six doctors. You may choose any one of the six. However, the Board may grant exceptions to the required size of the panel where it is demonstrated that six physicians or groups of physicians are not reasonably accessible. The panel must include one orthopedic physician and not more than two industrial clinics. Where possible a minority physician must be included. You may make one change to another doctor on the list without the permission of your employer.
- Post a Conformed Panel of Physicians consisting of at least ten physicians. This panel shall include the same physicians required in the Traditional Panel, plus a chiropractor and a general surgeon. You may make one change to another doctor on this panel without the permission of your employer.
- Post the name of the Workers' Compensation Managed Care Organization (WC/MCO) certified by the Board which your employer has contracted with to provide medical services. Your employer must give you a notice of the eligible medical service providers and post a 24 hour toll free number for the managed care organization. A managed care representative will assist you in scheduling an appointment with the eligible medical provider of your choice. You may make one change to another eligible physician at any time, without the permission of your employer.
6. Who pays for the doctor?
Your company's workers' compensation insurance carrier will pay for your authorized medical treatment, if the treatment was for an on-the-job injury.
7. What medical treatment will be paid?
All authorized doctor bills, hospital bills, physical therapy, prescriptions, and necessary travel expenses if the injury of illness was caused by an accident on the job. You may also be entitled to medical and vocational rehabilitation.
8. What if my injury keeps me from getting a job?
Under the law, if you sustain a catastrophic injury, you are entitled to receive help in getting another job or learning to do another job. In catastrophic injury cases it is essential to hire our firm to represent you so that you will achieve the maximum value of the benefits you are entitiled to.
9. What kind of benefits will I receive if I have a permanent disability?
You will receive weekly benefits based on the type and extent of your permanent disability. Our firm will fight for you or your loved one to get the maximum benefits allowed by law.
10. Can I be compensated for loss of sight or hearing or a limb?
Yes.
11. Can I receive benefits if I have lost the use of a part of my body?
Yes. Benefits are based upon the extent of loss of use of a part of your body as determined by the authorized treating physician.
12. If I die as a result of an on-the-job accident, can my dependents receive benefits?
Contact Scott A. Pryor attorney at law to help you and your loved one's receive the benefits you deserve.
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