Getting hurt at work can be stressful, especially if you suffer more than one injury at a time. If your work causes you to face multiple injuries, workers’ comp can cover all essential medical treatments and some of the lost wages while you recover. In that situation, it is advisable to consult a workers compensation lawyer NC at the earliest. Here is everything you need to know about filing multiple workers’ compensation claims and what you can expect during the process.

The basic steps to file multiple workers’ compensation claims

Whenever you get hurt at work, you need to act immediately to help ensure that you get the financial support and medical treatment you should receive. Follow these steps to protect your health and interests in such a claim.

1.    Get treatment

Seek medical attention for all your injuries by visiting a healthcare provider. Get proper treatment and documentation of the entire medical condition. Do it as soon as possible, and you give all healthcare experts thorough details about how each incident happened and all the symptoms you have experienced since each work incident.

Many workers’ compensation insurance companies try to deny benefits by claiming that employees’ conditions are irrelevant to anything that occurs at work. But with immediate medical care that your doctor documents, you can prove that your symptoms are work-related and protect your interest against denials from the insurance carriers.

2.    Notify your employer

Inform your employer about all the work injuries as soon as they happen. Let them know about it so that they are aware of your situation. Remember, you must notify your employer in writing within at least thirty days of the accident, but the sooner you inform them, the better it is.

3.    Complete Form 18 For Each Injury

Form 18, “Notice of Accident to Employer and Claim of Employee, Representative, or Dependent,” is the first step to start your legal claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Here’s what you should do –

  • Fill out a Form 18 for each injury.
  • Submit the form to the NC Industrial Commission and your employer.
  • Deadline: File within two years of the injury.
  • Early notice: Submit within 30 days for employer notification.
  • Get the form from the NC Industrial Commission’s website or ask your employer.

Provide details

In every Form 18, provide:

  • A detailed description of each specific injury.
  • Outlining how it occurred.
  • Specifying the date and time of each incident.

Include comprehensive information about each injury to facilitate a smoother claims process.

4.    Submit the forms

After completing Form 18 for each injury, submit all forms to the Industrial Commission and your employer. If you are absent from work for more than one day or incur medical expenses exceeding $4,000 due to your injury, your employer must complete Form 19.

Regardless of whether your employer submits Form 19 to the Industrial Commission, it is essential that you promptly file Form 18 to safeguard your entitlement to workers’ compensation benefits.

5.    Keep copies

Make sure you have all the copies of the completed Form 18s for your records. This way, you have a complete record of what you have reported and when. Keeping these forms ensures the insurance company can’t unfairly deny your claim or reduce medical funds.

6.    Follow Up

Stay committed to your treatment plans, attend all doctor appointments, and report every change in symptoms you notice. By following up, you can inform your employer of every injury and impairment they should be covering.

Stay in touch with your employer and workers’ compensation insurance to ensure they process all your reported injuries. If you have any concerns, seek advice from a knowledgeable workers comp lawyer Raleigh NC.

What if I want to settle my claims?

Choosing to settle with your employer is a wise decision, sparing you from constant scrutiny by their insurance. A well-structured settlement ensures a smoother resolution process, whether for one injury or more. It typically should include the following:

  • Medical expenses,
  • A portion of lost wages,
  • Compensation for permanent impairment,
  • Compensation for disfigurement and
  • Compensation for vocational rehabilitation.

Before you settle, you want to ensure that you fully understand all of your injuries. An experienced workers compensation lawyer Raleigh NC, can help you with proper settlement negotiations so that you can assess the quality of any offer you receive.

The bottom line

Are you looking for experienced workers comp lawyers near me? At Laura S. Jenkins, we thoroughly understand how to win worker compensation benefits. The experienced attorneys at the firm have worked with many insurance companies in the past, so we know how to win those games so that injured workers get all the compensation and treatment they deserve.

When you suffer an injury at work, we can be the reliable legal partner to get the most out of your claim. Please get in touch with us online or at (919) 846-7766 to schedule a free consultation.