How Long Does it Take to Obtain Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

If you have become hurt during a workplace accident, you may know that you can claim workers’ compensation benefits for your medical expenses and a portion of your lost income. You also likely need those benefits right away, as your medical bills pile up and you cannot return to work to pay for them. It is natural to wonder when you will start to receive the benefits you need. While there is no one answer to the question, there are some guidelines you can follow to determine when you will start to receive benefits. Below, our Carbon County workers’ compensation lawyer explains further.

Important Workers’ Compensation Deadlines 

When determining how long it will take to receive benefits for your lost wages, there are some deadlines to keep in mind. To qualify for any wage loss benefits, you must be unable to return to work for a minimum of seven days. If you cannot return to work for at least 14 days, you can receive back pay for the first seven days of work you missed.

It is important to note that if you do not notify your employer within 21 days of the injury, you are ineligible for back pay for wage loss benefits. If you do not notify your employer within 120 days of the injury, you do not qualify for any workers’ compensation benefits at all. If you develop an occupational illness, the deadline is extended to 300 weeks.

After you notify your employer and submit your workers’ compensation claim, the insurance company has 21 days to investigate the workplace accident. The insurance company also has the right to request another 90 days to conduct their investigation into your claim. During this time, you are able to obtain benefits but they may also only be temporary.

What Causes Delays with Workers’ Compensation Benefits? 

If you believe that your workers’ compensation benefits have been delayed, it is important to speak with an attorney. There are some valid reasons why benefits are delayed, and they are as follows:

• Your benefits are not being directly deposited into your bank account and the post office is experiencing delays.
• The insurance company terminated your payments after sending you a notice of termination.
• A clerical mistake, such as an error on your forms, resulted in a delay in processing your claim.

While there are sometimes legitimate reasons for a delay in workers’ compensation benefits, sometimes insurance companies are acting in bad faith. In these instances, a lawyer can advise on the steps to take to obtain the benefits you need.

Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Carbon County Can Help You Obtain Benefits Promptly 

After a workplace injury, you need workers’ compensation benefits as quickly as possible. At The Law Office of Kim M. Gillen, P.C., our Carbon County workers’ compensation lawyer can help you file your claim and ensure no mistakes are made that could result in unnecessary delays. Call us now at 484-613-0011 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorney and to learn more about how we can help with your case.

Source:

palegis.us/statutes/unconsolidated/law-information?sessYr=1915&sessInd=0&actNum=0338.