Workers who have occupation-related medical issues deserve support. Workers’ compensation benefits exist to help employees who experience injury or harm on the job.
If you have workplace injuries or health conditions, you can benefit from learning about the process and timeline for obtaining workers’ compensation.
Filing your claim
In general, it is better for your workers’ compensation case to file your claim soon after the injury occurs. Once you submit your paperwork, it can take up to three weeks to hear a response from your workplace’s insurer. If you receive an approval, the process is complete, and you can start obtaining workers’ compensation. However, if the insurance company denies your claim, you have the option to file a petition and appeal the decision. Submitting your claim and waiting for the initial decision takes only a few weeks or months.
Denials and litigation
If you decide to fight the insurer’s decision, you must first submit your petition to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and attend an initial hearing. Next, your employer’s insurance company can arrange a medical evaluation to allow an expert to assess your claim. You and your attorney might also need to gather evidence demonstrating your condition. Then, there is typically a final hearing for the judge to consider the facts and legal arguments surrounding the case. After the judge issues a decision, you can initiate another appeal with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board if you do not agree with the outcome. Overall, this process can over a year.
Workers’ compensation cases can be complex and last many months if they involve litigation. An experienced workers’ compensation specialist can help you understand your case and explore various options. For a free consultation, call 610-892-9300 or reach us online.