Farmington, AR Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Suffering an injury while working can be a worrying experience for an employee. If the worker sustained a severe injury that will require time away from work and weeks to heal completely, they might wonder how they will be able to support themselves. Fortunately, a worker can apply for Workers’ Compensation benefits if they sustain a work-related injury. If you were injured at the workplace, you should contact an experienced Farmington Workers’ Compensation lawyer.

The Kieklak Law Firm is prepared to help you manage a Workers’ Compensation application if you are injured on the job. We recognize how a serious injury could affect your ability to handle your living expenses and medical bills, and we are here to stand with you. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options, contact the Kieklak Law Firm at (479) 262-9766, or contact us online.

What to Do if You Are Injured at Work

Every worker should know what steps to take if they are unfortunately injured while working. Acting quickly will help you to preserve your claim for benefits and avoid any delays in having your Workers’ Compensation claim reviewed by your employer. The following is a list of actions you should take if you are injured at the workplace.

Report the Injury to Your Employer

A valid Workers’ Compensation claim requires that an employee suffers a work-related injury. A work-related injury is an injury that occurs while a person is operating within the scope of their employment. For example, if an employee is struck by a forklift operated by a negligent coworker while they are unloading a tractor trailer, this would qualify as a work-related injury. It is not wise to attempt to pass off an unrelated accident as a work-related accident as this could lead to your application being denied.

Once you sustain a work-related injury, you should inform your supervisor of the accident as soon as you can. While your immediate goal will be to seek medical treatment for your injuries, do not delay in reporting your injury once you have been treated.

Be sure to provide your employer with a written statement of when the accident happened, what caused the accident, and how you were injured. You should submit an injury report even if you believe that you may have been partially responsible for the accident, as this will not completely bar you from receiving benefits.

It is important to note that if an employee intentionally caused an accident or if their intoxication led to a serious accident, this will likely affect their claim for benefits.

Visit the Medical Practitioner Chosen by Your Employer’s Insurance Company

If you are injured on the job, your employer’s insurance company will want to know the extent of your injuries to determine the level of benefits that you should receive. The insurance company will refer you to a medical practitioner that will evaluate your injuries. If you want to visit a different health care facility, you should speak with your employer first as they may not cover the costs of this visit.

The medical practitioner will determine whether your injuries will cause you to miss time from work or even whether the injuries will cause some form of disability. Once your employer’s insurance company understands the extent of your injury, they will decide on your claim for benefits. You should not panic if the insurance company denies your claim as you may have an opportunity to appeal the decision to the

Keep Up with Required Medical Care

Once you begin receiving Workers’ Compensation benefits, you must adhere to the treatment plan created by your physician. If you fail to make an appointment or you do not accurately follow the treatment plan set out for you, your employer may attempt to suspend or even cancel your benefits.

There are multiple benefits that a worker is entitled to once their Workers’ Compensation application is approved. In terms of medical benefits, a worker can receive:

• Medical devices needed to manage their injury
• Physical therapy
• Fully funded doctor visits and prescription medication
• Access to necessary medical testing
• Money for surgeries

If an employee cannot return to work for a certain amount of time, they can also receive wage-loss benefits until they can return to work. The average amount of wage-loss benefits is 66 2/3% of the money you were previously earning.

Our Farmington Workers’ Comp Attorney is Ready to Work with You

If you or a family member was involved in an accident at work, consult with an experienced Farmington workers’ comp attorney today. Workers’ comp attorney Ken Kieklak possesses over two decades of legal experience fighting for injured workers, and he would be proud to represent you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact the Kieklak Law Firm at (479) 262-9766.