The timeline of worker’s compensation claims

The claims process for workers’ compensation is important for ensuring that employees receive the support they need after an injury on the job. Understanding the timeline of that process helps both workers and employers with successful and efficient management.

There are a few key steps to remember regarding the workers’ compensation claim timeline.

Reporting the injury

The workers’ compensation claim starts when an employee sustains an injury on the job. Workers should report injuries right away to their supervisor or manager according to the company’s incident reporting procedures.

Seeking medical attention

The sooner an employee seeks medical attention after a workplace injury, the better. Medical professionals can assess the injury and provide necessary intervention. This also establishes the injury in the employee’s medical records, which is necessary for the claim review process.

Investigating the report

Employers investigate workers’ compensation claims. The investigation process includes gathering information about the accident to assess the legitimacy of the claim. This helps to determine if the injury occurred during the course of employment.

Submitting the claim

After the initial workplace investigation, employers guide employees through filing the actual claim with the workers’ compensation insurance company. This includes filling out paperwork to support the incident report.

Evaluating the claim

The insurance company reviews the workers’ compensation claim, including the documentation, medical reports and evidence. After this evaluation, they reach a decision on compensation or denial.

According to the National Safety Council, there were more than 2 million non-fatal workers’ compensation injury reports in 2020. The claims process ensures that reported claims are valid and provides employees with an avenue to seek compensation for work-related injuries. When you understand what to expect from the process, it eases your uncertainty.