From dangerous falls on construction sits to slip-and-falls in office buildings, accidents can happen in just about every work environment. Fortunately, workers who suffer from work-related injuries or illnesses can seek compensation for their lost wages and medical bills under their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. If you have suffered a work-related injury, the following steps detail how the workers’ compensation process works and how you can file a claim in pursuit of your deserved reimbursement.
1. Seek medical care: First things first – seek medical help as soon as possible. If your accident requires emergency medical care, head to the nearest emergency room or urgent care center, or call 911. If your injury is not an emergency, your employer will provide you with a list of approved medical facilities you may visit for care.
2. Inform your employer: You must provide your employer with a written Notice of Accident form notifying them of your injuries within 15 days of your accident. These forms can be acquired at your place of work or online at https://workerscomp.nm.gov/. This notice must be given to an authority figure such as a supervisor or your company’s human resources department.
3. Keep detailed records: You will be required to provide detailed and accurate information regarding all things relevant to your accident when filing your workers’ compensation claim. For this reason, it is important that you begin to keep a record of all receipts, medical bills, check stubs, and correspondence regarding your injury and treatment. Your workers’ compensation benefits will be based on how much money you were earning at the time of your accident and for 26 weeks prior to your accident. Keeping your pay stubs will be vital to determine how much you are owed. Documenting your time away from work is also important.
4. E1 report: At this point, your employer will file an Employer’s First Report of Injury or Illness report with the Workers’ Compensation Administration (WCA), known as an E1 report. Once this report is filed, you will be contacted by a representative from either your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance or their self-insurance program. This person will be your claims representative and will be responsible for paying all bills related to your claim, as well as ensuring you receive your entitled indemnity benefits.
5. Adhere to treatment plans: Workers’ compensation will provide you with the necessary medical care and resources until you can safely return to work. In return, you must faithfully follow all instructions you receive from medical professionals, take all medications as prescribed, and remain honest with your doctor and claims representative.
Injured at Work? Call (505) 219-2176
If you have been injured in a work-related accident, it is important you retain the services of a knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer to ensure your claim is processed smoothly and handle any disputes that should arise on your behalf. At Michael J. Doyle, Attorney at Law, our highly-trained Albuquerque workers’ compensation attorney has more than a decade’s worth of legal experience and can maximize your chances of securing your entitled financial benefits.
To find out more about how our firm can help, schedule a free case review today.