How To File for Worker’s Comp After a Broken Bone Injury

1. Alert Your Supervisor

If you’ve broken a bone, then you’ll likely know the moment it happens. The first thing you need to do is alert a supervisor about the situation. There are a few reasons for this:

• It protects your right to compensation
• It provides a witness to confirm your injury occurred at work
• Your supervisor can ensure the area is safe for other employees
• It will prompt an incident report and investigation

The last thing you want to do is rush out of the office without informing anyone. If you do, your employer won’t know to create an incident report. That fact will impact your ability to get compensated later.

Despite these rules, the law understands that emergencies happen. If you can’t inform your employer right away, move to step two and get care. Inform your employer as soon as you are able.

2. Seek Out Medical Care

After informing your employer, your next step should be obvious. You need to get medical treatment for your injury.

About 6 million Americans break a bone each year. Treatment for this condition requires immobilization for several weeks. That means you won’t be able to use your broken bone, which will affect daily activities.

3. Filing Your Worker's Compensation Claim

After getting treated, reality will start to set in. Not only were you billed for your medical care, but now, you’re unable to get back to work.

At this point, it’s time to file your claim. You can get the proper paperwork from your employer, or you can submit everything online. Here’s what you need to provide:

• Your name and contact information
• Your employer’s information
• An explanation of how the injury happened
• The nature of your condition

Once you file, you’ll get a response by mail within a few weeks. You may need to meet for an Independent Medical Examination during the investigation. Research what to say and what not to say before your meeting.

4. Getting Your Benefits

If all goes well, then you’ll start to receive your benefits by mail. Feel free to use them as you need them.

Often, injured workers receive a denial of benefits letter in the mail. In other words, their initial claim gets denied. If that happens to you, then don’t panic.

Statistics show about 70% of denied claims get reversed and paid out. Identify what went wrong, fix it, and appeal the decision. If you need more help, then consider hiring a worker’s compensation lawyer.

Recovering After a Work-Related Broken Bone Injury

A broken bone injury causes losses outside of your pain and suffering. They result in medical bills, lost wages, and a significant recovery period. The goal of the Worker’s Compensation coverage is to cover these financial costs.

Applying for worker’s comp is easy when you follow the four steps above. Are you looking for a workers’ comp orthopedic doctor in your area willing to treat you while you await your benefits?

Call 1-800-897-8440 to find an experienced workers’ compensation doctor near you. Same-Day Appointments may be available.