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Workers Compensation Injury ( also known as 'work comp' ) I have dealt with work comp for over 25 years, so this is work comp from a chiropractic perspective. Back and neck injuries (spine injury) are covered by work comp. “Work Comp” is shorthand or slang for Workers Compensation. Workers Compensation is governed by State Law, rule and regulation. Many people are not aware how Workers Compensation works.
Maybe they have never been injured at work, maybe they have been hurt- but are afraid to report it. Whatever the reason, many people come to me for injuries sustained at work and they know little about work comp injuries. Many people think work comp comes into play ONLY when they miss work. This is incorrect. If you are hurt at work, you should report it at work immediately. Do the paperwork. File the report. It is a bother, but document, document, document. An example:
Suppose you get a little cut at work. Suppose you figure- this cut will heal in a day or two. ‘This cut is nothing’, you say….. suppose a week later the cut is infected and festering…. suppose a month later you are in the hospital on intravenous antibiotics…. suppose a few months later something has to be amputated….. since you did not properly document the injury at work, you may not be properly adequately covered, you may lose your job, you will not be able to draw a work comp disability salary or pension. Cheeeeeeez, should have done the paper work ! Suppose you cut yourself at work and all that bad stuff (above) happens- - - well, you are covered for treatment expenses and can draw some type of pay while you are out sick. Suppose you are at work, cut yourself, file paperwork, and nothing develops? So. ? . So you wasted a little time doing paperwork. But, you CYA’d in case something did develop. Basically the same:
Work comp is basically the same for all workers. However, where ever you work, your contract, your union, your rules may modify things a little bit. Do not hesitate to contact your union representative or your company human resource person if you are hurt at work.If you are hurt at work, you may be due time off, treatment, and (by law) you should not be fired or in fear for your job.
If you are hurt at work, BY STATE LAW YOU ARE COVERED BY WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE.
There is no choice. If you are hurt at work, your private health insurance IS NOT responsible to pay for your treatment (whether that may be Chiropractic, Surgery, Medical, Dental, Physical Therapy, Psychological, etc.). YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MISS WORK to be covered by workers compensation.
Some people have open comp cases for many, many years- 10, 20, even 30+ years….. some miss no work at all, some miss days, some can even miss months or years!
IF YOU ARE HURT AT WORK, BY STATE LAW WORKERS COMPENSATION HAS TO PAY FOR YOUR TREATMENT…. WHETHERYOU ARE WORKING OR NOT,,, WHETHER YOU MISS ZERO DAYS, ONE DAY, ONE WEEK, OR ONE YEAR .
For your own records ( you will be thankful next year when they ask you questions - start your own file,,, keep duplicate copies of everything ).
Workers Compensation is highly regulated and the patient, the doctor, the attorney has to pay strict attention to those rules.
Many doctors do not accept workers compensation cases, I do. click here further information
If you are hurt at work, do not hesitate to come in. I am a Staten Island Chiropractor that takes workers compensation insurance.
This article should give you a small idea about comp.
Specific legal questions? = ask a work comp attorney.
Specific health/ injury questions? = give me a call or stop in. Thanks for your time. |
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