Navigating Oklahoma’s Workers’ Compensation System: A Step-by-Step Guide
Perhaps you went to work and you slipped on a wet floor and broke a bone. Or, you work on an active construction site and suffered injuries from electrocution. If you were injured while doing your job, then you may be able to file a workers’ copmesnation claim against your employer’s insurance to obtain payment for your medical expenses, and potentially, payment for a portion of the lost wages you missed out on while recovering.
Knowing what to do after a workplace injury incident is essential. The goal of filing your claim is to get the most workers’ compensation benefits from it as quickly as possible. For assistance with your claim, you are welcome to call the Oklahoma City personal injury attorneys at the Putnam Law Office.
The Workers’ Compensation System in Oklahoma
You may file a workers’ compensation claim in Oklahoma after your workplace accident, but that does not mean that getting the compensation you need will be guaranteed or easy. Your boss may be a point of contention between you and your compensation or the insurance adjuster could be delaying payment or denying you the full amount of compensation you are owed. This is why it is important to know exactly what to do after an accident including speaking with an attorney.
The following steps should be taken after a workplace injury accident in Oklahoma.
- Report your workplace accident and injuries as soon as you can to your employer. If you are injured and require immediate emergency treatment, make sure to get it. Then, when you are able, you must report your injuries and your accident. You only have 30 days after your workplace accident to report it.
- If your employer makes a workplace injury report, be sure to get a copy.
- If your injuries are severe, then make sure to have an ambulance come to get you to the emergency room quickly so you can have rapid medical attention and treatment. If you do not require emergency medical treatment, it is still important not to delay seeing a medical professional to have your injuries examined and diagnosed.
- Meet with an attorney to start the workers’ compensation claims process.
After you file your claim two things can happen. The first is that your claim is successful and you obtain the benefits you need for your damages. From the start of the process to the end, though, you could experience hurdles and challenges. With the help of an attorney, you can better address these issues if they arise and overcome them.
The second outcome would be that your claim is not successful and you are denied the benefits you require. Here, you may take your case to trial and your attorney can litigate in court on your behalf to help you get the compensation you are entitled to.
Speak to an Attorney at the Putnam Law Office Today
Sustaining an injury at work is not something anyone wants to have happen to them. But workplace injuries happen every day and in a wide variety of industries. If you were harmed while at work, you deserve to obtain workers’ compensation benefits.
Call an Oklahoma personal injury lawyer at the Putnam Law Office today at (405) 849-9149 to schedule a free consultation.