What You Need For Your Comp Claim

Accidents and injuries happen all the time. There are a number of steps an injured worker and his or her family must perform to make sure that their workers’ compensation claim has the best chance for success. Generally speaking, it is a good idea to determine what kind of claim you are going to file. A personal injury claim needs a negligent party who intentionally or unintentionally causes injury. A workers’ compensation claim does not. The workers’ comp benefits also begin quickly to help with your recovery.

Based in Anchorage, the staff at Rehbock & Wilson works with clients who are injured on the job and have filed a workers’ compensation claim here in Alaska. Since we opened our doors in 1970, our lawyers have dedicated themselves to protecting the rights of workers and ensuring that they get the benefits they deserve from their employer and their insurance provider. We only get paid if we win your case, and the insurance company pays our fee, so don’t hesitate to call us at 800-477-8574.

Six Steps To Filing Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

Following these steps during the workers’ comp process will help increase your chances for the benefits you deserve:

1. Get medical care as soon as possible. By seeking treatment, you officially document the injury. By doing it right after the injury occurred, there is less chance of a dispute.
2. Tell your employer or supervisor about your injury. This should be done as a written document that can be referenced in the future. Injured workers in Alaska can also use the Report of Occupational Injury or Illness Form, which can help prompt you to give detailed information about your situation. It also reminds you to get a signature from your employer or supervisor, which documents that they were notified.
3. Provide the name and address of both your employer and your employer-purchased insurer to the medical staff providing care. They report a notice of your injury to your insurer within 14 days of you seeking treatment. If you choose to switch doctors, you need to notify the insurance company. Going to a specialist in addition to your general practitioner is not considered a change in doctors.
4. It is very important to keep your receipts for medical expenses or any other payments related to the injury. This allows you to be reimbursed with less chance of dispute.
5. Find your W-2 forms, pay stubs and other financial records and send copies to the insurer. A list of other benefits provided by your employer should also be included in this information. This information will help determine the proper amount of benefits that you should receive.
6. You should be notified within 21 days whether your employer will honor the claim of your Alaska workers’ compensation benefits or deny them.

A Denial Or Insufficient Amount Can Be Appealed

See our page on denied workers’ comp claims. You can still fight for Alaska workers’ compensation benefits by filing a complaint. An attorney is less necessary in the early phases listed above, but will become a real asset if your employer or the insurance provider disputes your claim.

Rehbock & Wilson will fight for your right to the benefits you deserve. Contact our firm by calling 800-477-8574 or using our contact page to schedule your free consultation.