When it comes to work-related injuries, it is imperative that you know your rights as a worker and what to do if an injury occurs. The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission outlines what is covered under an employer’s insurance and what is a considered to be a work-related injury. This includes the types of injuries, limits for filing a claim, and any benefits that the worker may receive due to their injury. Below we have listed 5 keys to help you navigate the Virginia Workers’ Compensation process.
- Report it: An injury must be reported to your employer within 30 days of the accident.
- Be specific: when reporting your injury, be sure to be specific about what happened, how it happened, and what injury you suffered. This includes the date, location, and exact thing you were doing when the accident occurred.
- File a Claim: A claim is a legal document, and it is advisable to seek legal counsel prior to filing. However, the statute of limitations- or timeframe that Virginia Workers’ Compensation gives to file a claim- is within 2 years of your injury.
- Seek Medical Treatment: Make sure to get checked out by a doctor or medical provider for your injury. Let the doctor know what happened and what specific area(s) hurt. Ask your doctor any questions and let them know any future or present concerns you have regarding your injury. Be sure to get a copy of any work restrictions/ out of work notes, if necessary.
- Look for Work: If the employer will not take you back for light duty, then you should look for at least five jobs a week while you are out to be eligible for compensation, even if you have not been fired from the previous job.
At ReidGoodwin, our passion is helping injured workers in Virginia get the help and justice they need for work related injuries. If you have any questions regarding the Workers’ Compensation process or are unsure of where to start, give our firm a call for a free consultation.
