What if you get hurt on the job and your employer knows you got hurt, but he doesn’t do anything about it?
The law says that he is supposed to keep a record of all injuries and to report any injury to the Alaska Workers Compensation Board within 10 days of learning about it.
Then what happens? The employer is also supposed to inform his workers compensation insurance company of the injury. Lots of times they don’t because they want to keep their safety record clean.
If the employer reports it to the insurance company, then an adjuster will call you for information. They will want to know how you got hurt, if a doctor took you off work, what doctors you are seeing, what kind of injury you have, and what kind of treatment has been recommended. They will also mail you medical releases to be signed and returned.
Beware! The law has recently changed on what is proper to put in a medical release, so if you are sent one, you should check with an attorney before signing it and returning it to the insurance company.
The insurance company is supposed to pay your medical bills and send you disability payments. The first installment of disability check is due 14 days after the employer has received a work release from your doctor. The subsequent checks should come every 14 days.
Beware! Keep copies of all work releases for your records. Without it, you have no proof that you turned in the release. You can also send a copy of the release to the insurance company. But always keep a copy for yourself.
When is it time to call a lawyer?
1. If you told your employer you got hurt and more than 10 days has gone by without anything happening,
2. If the insurance company or its law firm sends you a medical release,
3. If your disability payment is late,
4. If your doctor says he isn’t getting paid or a treatment has not been preauthorized by the insurance company.
Keenan Powell has practiced Workers Compensation law in the State of Alaska for over 35 years and has dedicated her practice to Workers Compensation representing injured Alaskans handling hundreds of cases. www.keenanpowell.com.
All consultations are free. To make an appointment, email: keenan@keenanpowell.com or call: 907 258 7663.