When accidents occur on the job, those injured may receive benefits through their employers’ workers’ compensation insurance. To receive such assistance, however, they must file the appropriate forms and gain approval from the insurance carrier.
Understanding how to formally report their injuries may help people preserve their rights and obtain the benefits they need and deserve.
Making the report
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, employers should have an accident injury reporting poster displayed somewhere visible to employees. Such posters should contain details about to whom and how they will report their injuries. Many companies simply require workers to notify their direct supervisors that an injury occurred, as well as to indicate when and how it happened.
When notifying employers of their injuries, employees must take care to avoid giving up certain rights. For example, an insurance company may deny a claim made by a worker who, at the time of the accident, said that he or she did not need medical attention.
Meeting the deadline for reporting
Employees must tell their employers about their injuries within a specified period to have benefit eligibility. With few exceptions, they must give such notices within 15 days of the date the injury happened or the date a doctor first diagnosed them with a work-related injury.
Facing retaliation
According to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, employers cannot fire employees for seeking workers’ compensation benefits by reporting an on-the-job injury. Retaliating against employees for notifying them of workplace accidents may qualify as a violation of workers’ rights.
Without warning, occupational injuries can occur and leave people unable to work temporarily or permanently. While recovering, they might need to rely on the assistance provided by workers’ compensation coverage to cover medical bills and lost wages.