If you have been injured on the job you are required to file a Worker’s Compensation Claim through your Employer or Human Resource Department. This can be done in a verbal or written document. This is called “First Report of Injury or Occupational Illness”; generally a form will be completed and is filed with the U.S. Department of Labor from your Employer. Filing a claim is important to protect you, because commercial insurances will not cover a work injury, possibly leaving you with a costly problem. The burden of proof is most often on the individual who is injured. Burden of proof involves providing the information to support your claim like how, where, and the type of injury involved.
You may be sent to your employer’s choice of physicians to be medically treated but you have the right to request a second opinion. Workers Compensation laws are designed to protect the employee who is injured or disabled on the job and provide them with treatment for the injury sustained.
Many employers have a Work Comp insurance company who has nurse case managers. These case managers are there to help you maneuver the process of having an on the job injury. They will help you with setting up appointments, returning to work and even transportation if your injury prevents you from driving.
Your employer wants to get you back to work, and many times will accommodate light duty to help you while your injury heals.
If you have additional questions contact:
Kansas:
Division of Workers’ Compensation 785-296-8488 or www.dol.ks.gov
Missouri:
Division of Workers’ Compensation 573-751-4231 or www.labor.mo.gov/DWC/about.asp