If you suffered an injury in a workplace accident, you know this event can affect you in many ways. You may be away from work for an extended period of time while you recover, and you could find that you accumulated significant medical bills in order to treat your injury. If you became sick because of your job or you suffered an injury while fulfilling your job requirements, you could have grounds to pursue assistance through a workers’ compensation claim.
When filing this type of claim, there are specific things required of both the employer and the employee. Before you move forward, it is in your interests to know exactly what you must do in order to have a successful claim for benefits. The claims process can be complex and confusing, but your effort to understand the rights and responsibilities of all parties can reduce the chance of setbacks and complications.
What does the employer have to do?
One of the main responsibilities of the employer is to maintain a safe work environment, providing employees with the training and equipment necessary to do their jobs as safely as possible. After a work accident resulting in injury, employers should do the following:
- Cooperate with the insurance carrier
- File the appropriate paperwork
- Allow the employee to return to work after recovery
- Assist the state workers’ compensation board as necessary
When employers do not meet their requirements, it can affect benefits received by injured employees.
What does the employee have to do?
The employee seeking workers’ comp benefits must also do certain things in order to secure the benefits he or she needs. Some of the responsibilities of the employee include:
- Report the injury as soon as possible and seek medical attention
- Cooperate with any requests for information made by the insurance company
- Be responsible and follow instructions from medical care providers
It is in the interests of every Missouri employee to know what to do in the event of a workplace accident. When you know how to proceed and what you can expect from your employer, you will be in a better position to defend your interests and secure what is necessary for a full and fair recovery. The specific types of financial help available to you after a workplace accident may include coverage of your medical bills, help returning to the workplace and more.
