Workers' compensation costs can make or break your bottom line. However, control over these costs...
Workers’ Compensation - Frequently Asked Questions
The first time there is a workplace injury employers and employees typically have many questions about the Worker’s Compensation claims process. The following are some of the top workers' compensation - frequently asked questions about the process.
Workers' compensation benefits are available to employees who are unable to work because of a work-related injury or illness. If he or she is medically excused from work, the injured staff member will be indemnified for lost salary as an outcome of the work-related injury. In addition to all medical expenditures related to the injury, rehabilitation is likewise generally covered.
What is a waiting period?
It is the period from the date of the injury to when the workers' compensation advantages begin accumulating. The waiting period might be paid retroactively as figured out by your state's designated retroactive duration.
What is the disability date for occupational disease?
The date of injury is set by the very first time a staff member loses time due to the injury or special needs. This time may be paid or unpaid.
An independent medical examination (IME) is a medical examination of the injured worker by a physician aside from the treating doctor who performed the original evaluation of the injured worker. An insurer or employer is entitled to an IME to challenge the dealing with a doctor's medical diagnosis, the recommended treatment strategy, or whether the injury is work-associated. This may also be called a QME. Qualified Medical Examination.
What happens if parties have a dispute that cannot be resolved?
Workers, employers, and insurance providers might apply for hearings to resolve disputes. Staff members file most hearing applications. The application alerts the state of the conflict and starts the legal process. Legal conflicts can be settled by stipulation, arbitration, and proceeding with an official hearing.
Your broker should be able to assist you from start to finish during the claims process. If they can’t or won’t, you need to consider a change.
To find out more about workers' compensation issues, please contact us at 909.466.7876.