When someone is dealing with an acute injury like a broken ankle or a dislocated shoulder, it’s oftentimes pretty easy to connect these injuries to their work duties. If you fell down the stairs at work and suffered an injury, it shouldn’t be too hard to file a successful workers’ compensation claim. However, acute injuries aren’t the only type of injuries and health issues that develop as a result of a person’s work duties. We also regularly help clients collect compensation for chronic injuries and occupational diseases, both of which tend to develop slowly over time.
If you have a slow-developing injury that you believe is linked to your work duties, how can you go about proving this connection and collecting the compensation you deserve? In today’s blog, we share some tips for proving that a new health condition was actually caused by your work duties.
Workers’ Compensation For Occupational Diseases
Occupational diseases are more common than most people realize. Whether it’s a firefighter battling lung cancer, a secretary dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome or a factory worker experiencing significant hearing loss, there is a very good chance that your employment was the primary factor in the onset of these conditions. If you suspect that a new diagnosis was caused in part by your work duties and you want to see if you’re eligible for workers’ compensation, here’s what you’ll want to do.
1. Get A Medical Evaluation – All work injuries require documented medical proof of the existence of compensable injuries, so no matter what type of injuries you’re dealing with, you’re going to need to have them assessed by a physician if you are hoping to collect compensation. Let your doctor know that you are considering filing for workers’ compensation if you have reason to believe your injuries were the result of your employee duties. They will conduct an extensive examination to assess your injuries, and they’ll also talk with you about your work duties and the type of environment you’re exposed to at your job. This will help them craft an independent medical report that will go a long way in helping you prove your claim should the doctor believe your injuries and your work duties are connected.
2. Connect With An Injury Attorney – The next thing you’ll want to do is connect with a workers’ compensation firm with a strong track record of helping employees get the compensation they deserve. In the greater Twin Cities area, consider giving the team at Hey Workers a call. The independent medical exam is a great start, but your attorney will want to learn more about your job duties, your job history and possibly investigate your work environment for themselves. They will then create an injury claim that clearly showcases how your work duties led to the eventual onset of your occupation disease. Not only will they prove this connection, but they will use their industry experience to determine how much compensation you should ask for, taking into account things like medical expenses, lost wages, future medical care costs and more. You may be able to earn an injury award on your own, but it’s almost impossible to maximize your award amount without the assistance of an industry expert.
3. Report Your Injury To Work – You also want to report your injury to your employer as soon as possible. This is sometimes overlooked with chronic injuries or certain occupational diseases because they don’t develop overnight. Minnesota law requires that you inform your employer within 180 days of becoming aware of the condition or having it confirmed by your doctor. We highly advise that you do not wait that long. We recommend that you inform your employer within 14 days of having your injuries confirmed by your doctor, as waiting any longer will cause your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider to inquire about the delay in reporting. You can report your injury before talking with an attorney, but many find it helpful to consult with a professional before bringing their injuries to management.
If you do these three things, you’ll be putting yourself in the best position to prove a legitimate occupational disease claim and collect the compensation you deserve. These claims are naturally a bit more difficult to prove than an acute injury, so be wary about going it alone. Instead, connect with an experienced injury firm who can clearly showcase a connection between your work duties and your new occupational disease. For help with this process, or for assistance with a different type of injury claim, connect with the team at Hey Workers today at (844) 439-9675.
