A workplace injury can have a significant impact on your life. If an injury is severe, you may no longer be able to work and find yourself adjusting to a new reality. Applying for workers’ compensation benefits is likely the last thing on your mind.

However, you must act immediately after discovering your injury to preserve your right to compensation. Contact a dedicated workers’ compensation attorney to avoid the additional stress of filing for benefits. To learn more about how to apply for workers’ compensation in Middletown, call Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz, and Bhaya today.

Informing an Employer After a Workplace Injury

When considering applying for benefits after a work-related injury in Middletown, there are several stages of the process that employees in Middletown must understand, including where, when, and how to submit information.

The first step in pursuing a workers’ compensation claim is informing the employer about an injury. Victims who sustain workplace injuries must notify their employers in immediately. Failure to do so could result in a benefits denial. If a workers’ compensation claim is connected to an occupational disease rather than a specific injury, employees must also inform their employers upon discovery than an illness is work-related.

While anyone injured in the workplace should notify their employer immediately, it is essential to remember that the law imposes certain deadlines. For example, victims of specific workplace injuries must submit written notice of their injury within 90 days. However, if the compensation claim is related to an occupational disease, victims must submit their notice within six months of discovering the work-related illness. If they fail to do so, they will forever lose the right to recover otherwise recoverable benefits during that time period.

Once an individual informs their employer of a workplace injury or related disease, the employer must submit a First Report of Occupational Injury or Disease to the Delaware Office of Workers’ Compensation and their insurance carrier within 10 days. After an employer has been given notice of the injury and request for compensation, the employer and injured individual will begin to discuss settlement details.

However, employers and workers cannot always reach an agreement regarding benefits. If the parties cannot agree, the injured individual should file a petition directly with the Delaware Office of Workers’ Compensation.

Employer Retaliation

Many victims of work-related injuries fear retaliation from their employers if they pursue a workers’ comp claim. For example, some people may worry that their employer will develop a negative view of them, resulting in fewer opportunities for career advancement. In some cases, employees might even fear that they will lose their job after seeking workers’ compensation benefits.

However, retaliating for pursuing a workers’ compensation claim is strictly prohibited by Delaware law. Therefore, if the victim of a work-related injury is discriminated against and has evidence proving it was connected to their harm, they should contact an attorney immediately. A skilled attorney in Middletown can help an individual learn how to apply for workers’ compensation and help them prove that the employer retaliated against them for pursuing their claim.

Contact an Attorney to Learn How to Apply for Workers’ Compensation in Middletown

Applying for workers’ compensation requires particular attention to detail and can be overwhelming when unfamiliar with the application process. By reaching out to a lawyer, you can learn how to apply for workers’ compensation in Middletown and start taking steps toward the compensation you deserve.

Call today to schedule an initial consultation with an attorney. During this consultation, you can learn more about what to expect throughout the journey and what to anticipate.