What You Need to Know About Work Injuries and Accidents

Work Injuries and Accidents Accidents in the work place that arise from employment and occur during the course of employment are covered by Workers’ Compensation. Each individual state has a Workers’ Compensation board that acts as a regulatory agent for these types of injuries. Workers’ Compensation takes care of most of the bills related to […]

Accidents in the work place that arise from employment and occur during the course of employment are covered by Workers’ Compensation.

Each individual state has a Workers’ Compensation board that acts as a regulatory agent for these types of injuries. Workers’ Compensation takes care of most of the bills related to an employee’s injuries and may even pay a certain amount of living expenses while the worker is unable to perform his job duties.

Since the laws vary from state to state, it would be prudent to check for specific questions concerning a work injury with your local state Workers’ Compensation Board or with a qualified Worker’s Compensation attorney. Be aware that states do have stiff penalties and may invoke fines, prison time, or both for anyone who makes a fraudulent Work injury claims.

The employer should then help the injured worker find a qualified health care provider to treat the injury.

The employee may request a Doctor of Chiropractic when a work injury involves the back, neck, or result in muscle or joint sprains and strains.

If you already have a chiropractor, you may want to have his or her name listed with your Employer or the Department of Human Resources at your work place.

The “Doctor of Record” is the term used in the States that allow for this registered doctor of choice by the employee. With a Doctor of Record, it is easier to go through the rigorous process of obtaining the care that you would prefer for your injury.

A Doctor of Chiropractic who is knowledgeable in the Workers’ Compensation process can be a great resource and aid with this process. Your chiropractor can even work with an attorney, should the injury be contested.

Nationwide, employers pay out a great deal of money to help cover work related injuries. This is one reason why there are tough existing penalties for workers who make fraudulent injury claims.

Also, the employer has the right to have the injured person evaluated and in some cases treated by a company doctor.  Claims can even get trickier if partial or full disability is involved.

Many of these more complex cases will involve the use of attorneys. In these contested cases, the payment for the injury claim may or may not be paid by the work carrier, depending on how the case is settled.

Also, most private insurers (companies like Blue Cross, Etna, etc.) will deny any claim for care if the injury is determined to be work related. However, if at a later time the Workers’ Compensation claim is considered invalid and denied, the same private insurer may elect to review the claim a pay a portion of the bill.

Workers’ Compensation can be difficult to understand but a chiropractor who specializes in such cases can help to guide you through the process while helping you recover from your injury.

In some cases, your chiropractor may even accept the case on a “lean” basis. This insures the patient that the doctor will wait for payment when a settlement is reached. If no settlement is awarded, your chiropractor may agree to write‑off the balance.

If you’ve been injured at your work place call us today at 941-426-9551. We can help!