Say you’re having problems with you workers compensation insurance company and don’t know what to do. Your first solution is to call an attorney. If you start calling firms, you will quickly find out that the first thing most attorneys want to know is whether you have been controverted and some attorneys will not review your case if you have not been.
I meet with clients whether or not they have been controverted and I’m happy to meet with you and review your case.
If you don’t feel ready to call attorneys, you still have options. You can go down to the nearest Workers Compensation office and explain the problems you’re having. The office addresses are posted on the Board’s website: http://labor.state.ak.us/wc/home.htm.
The Board has employees there who will talk to you and try to guide you through the process.
If you believe you haven’t been treated fairly, you will need to file a claim. The claim form is found on the Board’s website in the forms directory: http://labor.state.ak.us/wc/forms/wc6106.pdf/
You can fill it out on the computer, then print it off and e-mail it to the Workers Compensation Board: workerscomp@alaska.gov.
The Board will send a copy to the insurance company and your employer. The Board will also send you a copy by US mail documenting that your claim has been filed.
The next thing that will happen is the Board will set a prehearing. You can attend by telephone if you need to, but if you don’t have an attorney and you can attend in person, it would be a good idea. At that time, a Board employee will explain the procedures and deadlines to you more fully.
You can expect to see an answer from a law firm representing your employer and the insurer twenty days after the claim is filed. As a general rule, they will send you a list of questions and some forms to fill out. Their questions may or may not be appropriate. If you have not consulted with an attorney by then, you should seriously consider doing so.
Keenan Powell has practiced law in Alaska for more than 30 years and has dedicated her practice to Workers Compensation representing injured Alaskans.
All consultations are free. If you want to set up a meeting, use the contact form on www.keenanpowell.com or call: 907 258 7663.