Worker’s Compensation laws are put in place to protect employees who sustain injuries while on the job. On-the-job injuries can be caused by an employer or a third-party individual or company, as well as from inherent job risks. Most companies are required to hold worker’s comp insurance. Third-party insurance claims Oregon can be filed when appropriate but cannot be filed if a worker’s comp claim has been submitted. You can ensure the process of filing and receiving your benefits is as efficient as possible by understanding some basic steps to take when you get injured at work.
Inform a Supervisor
The very first thing you should do when you get injured on the job—barring the need for emergency medical assistance—is to inform your supervisor. Many organizations mandate an individual complete an incident report so that there is written record of the injury and the events and conditions leading up to it. Even when a company’s policy does not require it, putting the incident in writing is a good idea.
Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
Worker’s comp laws encode protections for employees and responsibilities for employers. As an employee, you should be aware of your rights and responsibilities. Oregon rights include the right to file a claim and to seek medical attention, while you also have the responsibility, for example, to adhere to deadlines.
File Your Claim
Obtain Form 801 from your employer or online to begin the process of filing for benefits. You will also need to inform your medical provider that the injury they are treating you for is work-related so that they can work with you to fill out and submit the appropriate paperwork. Once the claim has been filed, you can expect to hear whether it was accepted or denied within 60 days.
Worker’s compensation insurance is a benefit that provides medical coverage and loss of work pay for qualifying claims. This benefit is not automatic. Understanding what you need to do to obtain your benefits will let you focus on healing so you can return to work.