How to Check the Status of Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
When you are injured in a workplace accident or learn that your medical condition was caused by your work conditions, you must report your injury to your employer as soon as possible. The Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation states that you must report your injury no later than 30 days after it occurred or after you learned your illness was caused by your job. If you don’t meet these reporting requirements, your ability to recover workers’ compensation benefits will be greatly reduced.
If you reported your injury to your supervisor immediately but haven’t heard anything further, you’re likely wondering how to check the status of your workers’ compensation claim. Employers must report the injury to their insurance company and the state within five days of when the injury occurred or when they learned about it. Here are a few options you can try, depending on where you are in the claims process.
Checking Whether Your Employer Reported Your Injury
Once you notify your employer in writing about your injury, your employer must notify its workers’ compensation insurance carrier and report your injury to the Division of Workers’ Compensation. If you notified your employer in writing and included your name and the date, time, and location of where your injury occurred as required by law, your employer should have arranged for you to receive medical care and filed the necessary forms with the state. You can check with the Division of Workers’ Compensation to make sure your employer reported your injury by calling 800-775-2667.
If your employer or its workers’ compensation insurance carrier failed to report your injury to the state, they can face serious penalties. If you learn your injury was never reported to the Division of Workers’ Compensation, you should contact the Fraud and Noncompliance Unit by calling 800-592-6003.
Learning What Is Happening with Your Claim After It Was Filed
If your employer reported your injury as required to both its insurance company and the Division of Workers’ Compensation, you might wonder what’s going on if the insurance company is taking its time to investigate your claim and make its decision. Your employer should have given you a claim form to fill out when you reported your injury. The employer sends this form to its insurance company and then sends the injured worker for medical treatment.
Once the insurer receives your claim, it must investigate it and can decide to deny or approve it. If the insurance company has had your claim for a while and hasn’t informed you of its decision, you can contact the insurance company directly to inquire about the status of your claim. However, you should be careful when contacting the workers’ compensation insurance carrier. The company can use anything you say against you in your case, including even seemingly innocuous statements such as that you are doing fine when asked. It’s best to have a workers’ compensation lawyer inquire about your claim to avoid making potentially damaging errors.
Get Help from a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
The workers’ compensation claims process can be long and difficult. If you have been waiting for an answer on your workers’ compensation claim, the process might be understandably frustrating. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help you recover all of the benefits you deserve and keep you up-to-date on the status of your case.
The workers’ compensation attorneys at the Law Offices of Bryan Musgrave can provide guidance throughout the claims process and fight to protect your rights. Reach out to us as soon as possible. We can review your case and help you gather evidence to support your claim. Call us for a free case review at 417-322-2222 or contact us online.