What Are An Employers Responsibilities In A Workers Compensation Claim?

When you have been injured on the job, you are required to report the injury as early as possible to your employer, either immediately after it occurred, or as soon as you learn that you may be eligible for the benefits of workers' compensation.

As the claimant, you have additional responsibilities during the workers' compensation process, but your employer also has duties which must be carried out. A Fresno workers' compensation attorney at Berry, Smith & Bartell, a Professional Law Corporation will stand by you throughout your claim, working to safeguard your personal interests and protect you against any possible adverse actions from your employer.

Your employer’s responsibilities include:

• Purchasing a workers' compensation insurance policy, even if there is only one employee in your company.
• Filing a claim for coverage after you have reported your injury and providing any necessary information to facilitate the investigation
• Getting your request for benefits approved

Your employer must carry insurance so that you will be able to claim sufficient benefits in the event of an injury, which could require you to undergo extensive medical treatment and face a long period of time without wages. Failure to carry such insurance is a misdemeanor criminal offense, with a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $10,000 fine.

Hurt At Work and Need Help?

The state Division of Workers' Compensation encourages employers to do everything possible to assist injured workers and offers up to $2,500 in reimbursement to employers with 50 or more employees who will modify the workspace to accommodate an employee whose injury has resulted in some form of partial permanent disability.

Employers are also given the opportunity to pay 15% less in permanent disability benefits after offering to bring the employee back to work in either a regular or modified position. While many employers are cooperative and care to see that the employee receives fair treatment, the reverse is often the case, and if you have any concern that you will face opposition in your claim, it is in your best interests to retain a Fresno workers' compensation attorney. Our firm has more than 130 years of combined experience and our lawyers are ready to begin work on your case today.

To learn more about your employer's responsibilities in the process of claiming benefits, speak with one of our Fresno workers' compensation lawyers. Call us at 1-800-848-6288 for a free case evaluation.