The Do's and Dont's of Workers Compensation

 

 It can be difficult to make the decision to file for workers compensation added with the chance that your job may not have everything set up to be able to handle your injury. You may ask yourself "Is it even worth it to file?" You should rely on a simple rule of thumb when deciding on whether or not to file and that is, if an injury is sustained at your job or within the scope of you working there, including occupational accidents, diseases, trauma, injuries or illnesses caused by exposure to work activities or chemicals, then you need to file. At Badnell and Dick we are dedicated to getting you the cold hard cash you deserve to help cover your costs while you are out of work. So let’s say that you have chosen to file, here is a list of Do's and Don'ts that will help ensure that you get your full compensation. 

Do's

• Be sure to report the accident and ANY injuries sustained to your employer. Give them an in-depth description of what happened and who was there or involved.
• Get a written or verbal testimony by someone who may have witnessed the accident happening. This can help you by acting as evidence just in case the insurance tries to deny your claim.
• Make sure you include ALL your injuries on your report, no matter how minor or major they are. It is better to have everything wrong covered, than find out something happened later due to the issue worsening. 
• Double check to make sure that someone filed the incident report and that they have accurately filled it out. 
• Remember there is a time limit on how long you must file a claim, usually you have 30 to 45 days from when the accident happened to file. 
• If you have persistent pain and need to see a doctor, for the treatment to be covered by the insurance you must not cancel any appointments and follow the doctors’ orders directly. 
• Make sure that you keep a thorough and organized record of everything that happens. That means medical receipts, doctor visits, medication expenses, and any written correspondence between you and the insurance company. 

Don'ts 

• Do not discuss your case with anyone outside the necessary party and do not let anyone talk you out of reporting the incident. 
• Do not be persuaded into signing a release form for any reason, especially because it could potentially release your employer and the insurance carrier from liability. 
• Just like the release form do not sign a medical form for any reason, this could give the insurance company access to your medical records, which they do not have permission to see otherwise. 
• If you are medically unstable, do not think about settling your case based off of this. You want to make sure that not only your physical state is well but your mental state also before settling on an amount of compensation.
• and most importantly, do not settle your case before talking with your attorney and going through all your options. 

These tips are just a few pointers to getting the most out of what you deserve from filing for workers compensation. If you or someone you know is looking to file, get ahold of Badnell and Dick, (800)-234-9511, or visit us online. We will work hard to win you the money you deserve. 

Why Are Disability Claims Denied?

     

    Each year, millions of people apply for Social Security Disability benefits (SSDI) each year. Out of those millions who apply, only 30% are approved a the initial level of the claim process. That's a whopping 70% of applicants who are denied. 

    The reasons for a denial of Social Security Disability benefits vary from case to case but there are a few common reasons that a claim will be for sure declined. If you are applying for SSDI it is important for you to understand why you might be denied and the steps to prevent that from happening.

    One of the more common reasons a claim gets denied is due to the lack of hard medical evidence to support the claim. You will need to prove that you are unable to work due to a disabling condition. For the claim to succeed, you need the proper medical records that show your disability has effected your ability to perform your work tasks. 

    The medical records are the most valuable thing in determining the success of your claim for benefits. Because of this, be sure to talk about how an injury is interfering with your ability to work with your physician. 

    Contrary to popular belief, you should always appeal a denied disability claim before filing for a new one. In some cases, a claim will be denied if the person reviewing your case sees that you applied for SSDI benefits before and were denied. Therefore it's a much safer bet to go through the appeals process. At Badnell & Dick Co., we have qualified and experienced personal attorneys that can help walk you through the steps.

    Income is an another important aspect, but it doesn't apply to SSDI's, instead it's used for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you are working part-time and making more than $940 a month, you are likely not eligible for SSDI and could get denied. The Social Security Administration will only approve Social Security Disability claims for people who are unable to work due to their disability. 

    The entire process of applying for Social Security disability benefits is overwhelming, from keeping track of deadlines to making sure that your application is complete and accurate. Attorney David M. Dick from Badnell & Dick Co., has dealt with all types of childhood and adult disability claims for over a decade. So, when results matter, call us at 1-800-234-9511 to speak with one of our attorneys so that we can handle your claim the best way we know how!