Anyone familiar with Workmans Comp?

Got injured on the job Monday, did not hurt that much then, but now, damn! So, how do you go about a claim? Have no idea, will do some googling, but am curious if anyone has firsthand info on it. Any personal info is greatly appreciated, my google fu is lazy.

 

Up here, unless it's changed since I was on, you report the event to your employer, and they are supposed to get the ball rolling for you. We are actually required to log things like a splinter or a little cut just in case something develops from it later, but who does? I've only been on it once for a week. I cut my finger wide open fooling around with a big kitchen knife working at McDonalds as a teen.
Hope you didn't hurt yourself to bad Fred.

 

Up here too. I got tendinitis from my job, and they gave me a form to fill out (automatic triplicate), I got one copy, they got one, and HR got one. Then I got to see the doctor paid by the company and they covered my bills while I saw him.

Get with your HR rep or union rep and find out what your rights are. If you got injured while on the job, they can tell you what your rights are, and what you can expect from your employer.

 

Thanks for the replies! Union? HR? Heck, only 3 of us totall! lOL

Gonna try to get into my chiro, don't really care who pays for it, this hurts. It hurts to breathe. This is like badly bruised or broken ribs, but I had no impact injury. Not good. :cry

 

Sorry to hear of your injury. The gang is correct - your employer is suppose to have jumped on this immediately. HR, your immediate supervisor are all required to get you to start forms and get a medical person to check out your injury. Sometimes the injuries which don't immediately seem serious, end up being serious. All states have mandatory WorkComp laws. Yet different from state to state. From what you have said, off the top, they dropped the ball. Don't know the laws for LA, but very possible a State Workers Comp website exists for you to view the laws. In a lot of states, Worker Comps (W/C) lawyers are provided for you cost free. First get medical assessment, get the forms filled out so you can start the W/C benefits (which kick in immediately) and start the process. I have had two serious work related injuries - years later, I still pay for it. You priority is your health and your employer has to pay for it. Also don't forget... make certain you know the Doctors the employer send you to are looking out for the insurance companies interest. From the start, be suspicious of what 'the employers Doctors' tell you. You have a right to challenge what 'their' doctors say and get your own Doctor. By and large in this situation, if you let them know you you are aware of this, they will back down. This is one of the most significant reasons behind Workers Comps laws - making sure the injured employee in not denied appropriate medical care.

Just caught your recent post before I finished here. Only 3 employees at your location - someone has to have the insurance (state law). Don't go to a chiropractor until you make sure you don't have spinal damage. How about getting to the ER now for x-rays.... and pain killers! Good luck to you & best wishes for recovery!

 

You mean kind of like this one? :innocent

 

I'll try not to be too pessimistic, but my appeal hearing is later this month from an injury in early November.

You usually have 48 hours maximum from the time of the injury to inform your employer and see a doctor. Your employer will have a preferred place you should go (usually some sort of occupational health clinic). Here, we get lucky, and our O/H doctors are FABULOUS! They may be technically the "company" doctors, but they are totally on the patient's side. I actually had one use the phrase, "Oh, so they think they can get away with that, huh? Well, not if I change your restrictions!" LOL

As said, it varies from state to state. But you do need to let your employer know, and fill out the forms, before seeking treatment. And since it happened on Monday, you should do that immediately if you haven't already. If your employer can't answer your questions, try the one Mimsy posted, or here: http://www.laworks.net/WorkersComp/OWC_WorkerMenu.asp

 

Well, thanks for all the advice! Turns out, according to my chiropractor, it is a pulled/strained chest muscle, and no real damage was done, but I am going to hurt for a while.

Dude did some 'adjustments', and damn, I felt better today on no drugs than I did yesterday on some higher dosage aspirin w/caffiene over the counter stuff.

So, I will hurt for a week or more, but can work, the pain is reduced by at least 50% (I have a high tolerance for pain), and I can continue working, just avoiding a few things. Hey, for $40, worked out well. Don't mind paying that. Don't see the point in trying to get them to pay for it.

Thanks again for the replies.

 

Should have notified your supervisor, team leader or foreman at the time of the incident. I had a major cut in the arm and had to be rushed to the hospital last year. Required 15 stitches. My supervisor was quick to fill out an accident report STAT. When I got back from the ER, I was taken to the office where I had a million questions to go through. How it happen, who was involved, how many stitches were put in, etc, etc. I had to stick with the company doctor till I was cleared.

 

Sorry to hear of your injury, I think perhaps it's a bit different from state to state but one thing is for sure it'll will test the relationship between employer and employee.
I know in Ca it's important to report anything immediately whether you think it's nothing or not.
Hope those chiropractor visits are being paid for you. Although I have a dim view of them myself. Some times they cause more harm.

 

Hi Fred G:

Glad to hear you are feeling better... still need to fill out the forms, file a claim. You just don't know what the future may bring such as needing medicine for this injury. Hope you continue to get better

Mimsy - was going to post the same site as Sgt. Tibbs. The sites were not that clear as to who they were representing. Sgt Tibbs posted the correct one.

Sgt. Tibbs: Good luck at your hearing this month. Don't back down - :major - stand your ground! (Worked for me). Preliminary hearings are usually rudimentary in paper work trails and Drs Notes. Get the note from the MD, and you should be good.

Safe weekend to all:wave

 

Don't have time on the internet/read all post. But I am from illinois. And two times I got injured (shoulder and wrist and back)and(burnt severely by grease on whole arm, stomach, hand, fingers.. Anyways the bigger more important company got mad cause I didn't bring the injury up to them that day and waited a few days(tring to be tough guy) anyways the burn was more nicely talked about. But I reported both and 1 gave me there name, insurance and a peice of paper saying workmans comp... and they fill it out at the doctor offices.. of what is wrong and what they will do for you.. and the price.. also I didn't have to pay anything I just went back gave the boss the papers and she turned it into insurances.. Pretty much same thing for bigger meaner company they got called by telephone by hospital when I was there.. and so they spoke on the telephone.

 

Snapper said it. Each state law is different. If you can, get back to work. Otherwise, look for MD, or DO board certified in Occupational Medicine. They can provide an "impairment rating." They are most busy on Monday's and Friday's as folks look for/attempt to cover a "long weekend."

 

J\Hi Ejoty

Thank you for reminding me on the impairment rating - have not obtained this yet. As well as the Mon - Fri. (don't bother days) - you are correct.

Happy Health to all
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