Getting hurt on the job can be frustrating and expensive. People generally don’t enjoy feeling forced to take a leave of absence that leads to lost wages. They may also have significant medical expenses that accrue while they are unable to work. Workers’ compensation can help injured employees until they recover.
Workers may be eligible for medical benefits to pay for their treatment. They may also qualify for disability benefits. Those benefits may help them replace lost income. Workers may qualify for temporary disability benefits while undergoing treatment or permanent disability benefits if their condition affects their long-term earning potential.
In some cases, there may be a degree of controversy around a workers’ compensation claim. Employers may allege that the injury occurred elsewhere. What happens in that situation?
Medical records can help the employee qualify
Injuries that occur on the job, including injuries obtained off-site while a worker is on the clock, may be eligible for coverage. However, employers may sometimes raise questions about whether a specific medical condition qualifies a worker for benefits.
In such scenarios, employees may need to present medical documentation connecting their condition to their employment. In some cases, they may even need to undergo in-depth evaluations to establish that their job responsibilities directly connect to their medical diagnosis. An independent medical examination (IME) can help affirm the origins and severity of a worker’s medical condition.
Employees dealing with denied workers’ compensation claims and other challenges often need help as they pursue benefits, and that’s okay. Proper medical documentation and claim support can help workers secure the benefits that they deserve.