Necessary Steps To File a Workers’ Compensation Claim

 Posted on February 12, 2024 in Workplace Injury

Necessary Steps To File a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Employees who are injured on the job can file a workers’ compensation claim to recover medical costs and lost wages. You can think of workers’ compensation as a sort of accident insurance that provides partial wages and covers medical expenses after suffering an injury or illness on the job. But how does workers’ compensation work in Colorado? What are the necessary steps to take to file a workers’ compensation claim? An experienced personal injury attorney can provide all necessary steps in detail and help you with filing your claim.

Emergency Care, If Necessary

The first thing you should do is seek medical care for any injury or illness sustained while at work. You should ensure that your injuries are treated before worrying about filing a workers’ compensation claim. Depending on how severe your condition is, you may want to head out to the hospital immediately to be looked at. Once your injuries are cared for, you can move on to the next step.

Beginning The Process

You will need to have evidence to prove that you suffered the injury or illness while on the job. The right evidence showing what happened and how it happened can make all the difference between a claim being accepted or denied. Evidence you could gather that may help you with your claim include:

• Pictures and videos of your injuries and the place where the injuries occurred

• Video recordings from security cameras that caught the entire accident

• Eyewitness testimonies of other workers or civilians in the area

• Proof that you were supposed to be at work at the time of the accident

Report The Incident

You have four business days from the time of the accident to provide your employer with a written notice. This is to document proof of the accident occurring. Even if it has been longer than four days, it is still important to report it and have it documented. Without documented proof, it would be as if it never happened at all and your claim will suffer because of it.

File The Claim

Once your employer provides a list of doctors and medical professionals to see for your injuries, you can select one and have your injuries or illness treated. Once the employer has written notice and has documented the incident, you can begin to file your claim.

You will need to file a Workers’ Claim for Compensation form with the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC). You should file it as quickly as possible to ensure you do not go over the two-year statute of limitations for Colorado workers’ compensation injury claims.

Contact a Larimer County, CO Personal Injury Attorney

Workers’ compensation is not guaranteed, so you will want to gather all of the evidence you can to help your claim. An experienced Fort Collins, CO workers’ compensation lawyer can help you get together the evidence you need to file your claim successfully. Contact the Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. at 970-225-2190 for a free consultation to discuss your workers’ compensation claim.