Workers? Compensation Massachusetts: Should I Discuss My Case with My Employer o

Posted by Tina Smith on March 3rd, 2018

Health and safety in the workplace are everyone's concern. Not of direct supervision or higher management, but you and your co-workers.

For this reason, every company provides a set of rules and guidelines covering both. Signs are plastered all over the place to remind everybody to act responsibly to avoid illnesses and injuries in the workplace; training sessions and seminars are conducted annually to assure a safe and healthy workplace environment.

Yet they happen with alarming frequency. They happen because they are parts of every worker's daily life.to cushion the cost impact of these unfavorable but unavoidable workplace incidents, the law mandates that companies must have a worker's compensation program.

Unknown to most, workers' compensation doesn't apply the moment an illness or injury occurs. Certain requirements must be met to qualify for compensation. One of these is to have discussions with the company's representative (usually your direct supervisor) and the insurance company adjuster.

Discussion with Management:

If you're injured at work, immediately inform your supervisor about it. It is his responsibility to fill out an "Accident Report" or "First Report of Injury."at this stage, tell him as honestly as possible how it happened, where it happened, the time it happened and witnesses, if any, and other pertinent information relative to your injury.

Don't leave anything out or butter it up with unnecessary info. The approval or denial of your claim is dependent on the validity and credibility of this report.

When he is done, review it to see if he has missed something, or downplayed your injury.Check for clarity and accuracy of writing; even misspellings may affect the outcome of your claim.

The accident report is then submitted to the safety officer who will do an ocular inspection of the site, check the circumstances and other factors which caused the accident.

He will talk to witnesses, if any, and your supervisor. He will check your profile as an employee, i.e., your work attitude, relationship with co-workers, your proneness to accidents.and he will talk to you. When de does, don't project an image of being smug or indifferent. Cooperate with him, be friendly and accommodating. Answer all his questions as plainly and honestly as possible. The success of your claim is at the tip of his pen.

Discussion with the insurance company:

When it reaches the insurance company, an insurance adjuster will review it thoroughly. He is either an employee of your company's insurer or a retainer.Either way, he represents the interest of the insurance company, not yours. and he is going to review your claim to spot reasons for disapproval or reduce the amount of your claim.

He will do an ocular of the place where the injury occurred and do a thorough review of the safety officer's report.

 The adjuster will review your record as an employee, i.e., your attitude, workplace relationships. absenteeism, and your past salaries. and he will talk to you, too. When he does, be cooperative. Don't treat him with suspicion. Though he is not your friend, he is not your enemy, eitheranswer all questions in a friendly manner, and as honestly and accurately as possible. read his report when he is done with the interview. Don't sign it unless you have thoroughly gone through it.

In fact, as a rule, don't sign anything if you are without any legal representation, and don't forget to get a copy of the document you signed.Filing workers' compensation claim is a lengthy and expensive process. And its outcome is largely dependent on how you conduct yourself in front of management's representative and the insurance adjuster.

 This Article has been written by Tina Smith, associated with Ma Workers Compensation .we represent the best compensation lawyer. For more information about Personal injury lawyer Boston please visit: yourworkinjurylawyers.com