If you should be injured at work, the first thing to do is file a report of the injury with your employer. The report is simple, and once completed, you should ensure the report is properly dated and accurate before asking for a copy for your records. Not filing a report of the injury within the allotted time can prove costly; your benefits could be reduced or denied altogether.
After the injury has been reported:
You can expect your employer to provide you with the contact details of their insurance company; with this, you can make contact with the responsible claims adjuster. The claims adjuster should inform you of your rights and responsibilities.
You must never lose sight of the fact that the sole task of any claims adjuster is to save his employer money. It would not be unusual for the adjuster to get you to make a statement that can later be used to support a denial of your claim. Although the adjuster may advise you of your rights, always contact a workers compensation attorney in Santa Ana before making any statements or commitments.
Workers comp laws are complex:
It is in your best interest to familiarize yourself with worker’s compensation laws, bearing in mind that the adjuster’s job is to minimize the cost of your claim. Worker’s comp laws are state laws; they may be similar from one state to another, but what can be significant variances may differ. Details such as your right to take legal action, penalties for missing filing deadlines, etc. are the things that matter most to you. A worker’s compensation attorney in Santa Ana knows the laws and can help you avoid costly errors.
The more serious the injury, the sooner you need to contact an attorney that specializes in workers compensation; otherwise, you may be putting your rights at risk.
In the event of a work-related accident or illness, contacting a workers compensation attorney in Santa Ana is the best way to ensure that your rights are protected. For a free initial consultation, contact the Law Offices of Norman J. Homen.
