In our state, employers are legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This coverage provides disability benefits and medical care to employees injured while performing their job duties. A successful claim is essential for those unable to work due to a workplace injury.
Meeting with insurance companies during a San Bernardino workers’ compensation claim may be crucial to receiving the benefits you are owed following an injury at work. A dedicated workers’s compensation attorney could represent you at your meeting, providing beneficial support and advocating on your behalf.
What to Expect During Workers’ Compensation Meeting
Insurance companies generally have 14 days to decide after a workplace injury is reported and a claim is filed. After initiating a workers’ compensation claim, the insurance company may request a deposition of the injured worker or a return-to-work meeting. If a claim is denied, an informal meeting may help resolve the situation before initiating the formal appeal process.
Worker Deposition
During a deposition, the injured worker, their employer, insurance company representatives, and their respective attorneys may be present. The insurance company has this opportunity to ask the claimant questions and ascertain the authenticity of the claim and the extent of the injury.
Return-to-Work Meeting
For employees of the state of California, the State Fund may require a return-to-work meeting after a workers’ comp claim. During this meeting, the employee, their supervisor, and a State Fund representative create a plan for the employee to go back to work.
Informal Meeting
In the event of a denial, the claimant and their lawyer may be able to resolve the issue through an informal meeting with the insurance company. This meeting could take place prior to or in lieu of the formal appeals process. An informal appeal meeting may save time and allow claimants to appeal a denial of benefits efficiently.
A San Bernardino workers’ compensation attorney may provide valuable support before, during, and after insurance company meetings. A lawyer could help with meeting preparation, representation during the meeting, and critical communications with the insurer throughout the pendency of the claim.
Statute of Limitations for Workers’ Compensation Claim
Promptly filing a San Bernardino workers’ compensation claim is critical for timely recovering benefits and securing the right to compensation. Injured workers usually have one year from the date of the injury to file a claim. However, in some cases, the statute of limitations may be longer.
For cumulative injuries, like those caused by repetitive motions, the deadline to file is one year from the date the worker knew of the injury or should have known of the injury. However, for a new or further disability that resulted from the original injury, the statute of limitations is five years from the date of the injury.
Determining the statute of limitations for a workers’ compensation claim is vital to ensuring injured workers’ recover for their injury. A lawyer could evaluate the worker’s accident and injuries and determine the filing deadline.
Contact San Bernardino Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Before Meeting Insurance Companies
Meeting with insurance companies during a San Bernardino workers’ compensation claim can be a stressful experience for injured workers. Individuals may not know what to expect during the meeting, how to answer the insurance company’s questions, and how to avoid common missteps.
An experienced attorney could help. Your workers’ compensation lawyer may manage your claim from beginning to end, gathering crucial evidence of your injury, what happened during your workplace accident, and communicating with the insurance company throughout your claim. Call The Law Offices of Antony E. Gluck P.C. now for assistance.