Injured Worker in a Hospital RoomYou work hard to support your family, but when an on-the-job injury lands you in the hospital, you can find yourself anxious about how to make ends meet. Who will pay your mounting medical bills? How will your family pay its regular household bills while you’re out of work and in the hospital recovering from your injuries?

If you were injured in the course and scope of employment, meaning you got hurt while doing your job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Here’s what you need to know about Nebraska workers’ comp claims, including potential benefits, how an attorney can help your case, and why you should contact the Law Office of Matthew A. Lathrop as soon as possible if you’re hospitalized because of a workplace injury.

Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Benefits

When a worker in the Cornhusker State suffers a work injury, they may be entitled to workers’ comp benefits, such as:

  • Coverage of all reasonable and necessary medical and hospital care
  • Weekly income payments equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage (up to $983 per week in 2022)

Additionally, if the injury results in death, your family may be eligible to collect workers’ compensation death or dependency benefits.

Steps to Take After a Workplace Injury

What you do in the hours, days, and weeks following an on-the-job injury can have a significant impact on the outcome of your workers’ comp claim. Here’s what you can do to protect your rights and ensure you receive the benefits you deserve.

Get Medical Care

Hurt in a workplace accident? Having your injuries evaluated and treated by a qualified medical professional is absolutely essential to your physical health and the integrity of your workers’ compensation claim. Focus on getting better, rather than how much your care costs, as reasonable and necessary hospitalizations should be covered by workers’ comp. Not sure what constitutes “reasonable and necessary” medical care? We can help.

Report the Accident and Injury

Report the on-the-job accident and your injuries to your employer if you were unable to do so before being hospitalized. Follow your employer’s internal reporting process for accidents and injuries, if possible. However, you’re not legally required to follow a specific company process; you’re only required to report your injuries to your employer as soon as possible.

Notify Your Primary Care Physician

Let your primary care physician know that you were hurt at work, so they can consult with the doctors caring for you in the hospital. Nebraska workers’ compensation law typically allows injured employees to see their own doctor, but you might also be required to see a doctor chosen by your employer’s workers’ comp insurer. Talk to an experienced attorney to ensure you understand your rights.

Document What You Remember

Document everything you can remember about the accident at your workplace, including the circumstances of the incident, the names of any witnesses, and whether unsafe conditions or other factors may have played a role. Take notes with pen and paper or record your thoughts on your smartphone.

Consult an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Trying to stay on top of your Nebraska workers’ compensation claim from your hospital bed can be difficult, if not impossible. There’s far too much at stake to go it alone. Fortunately, you don’t have to. A knowledgeable and experienced workers’ comp lawyer can handle all the legal heavy lifting while you focus on feeling better.

Providing Adept Workers’ Comp Representation

At the Law Office of Matthew A. Lathrop, we help workers throughout Nebraska navigate the complex and complicated workers’ comp process to collect the benefits they need and deserve after being hospitalized for a workplace injury. We may be able to do the same for you.

Are you or someone you love in the hospital after being hurt on the job? Complete our online contact form or call our Omaha law office at 402-614-7744 to schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation with a member of our accomplished legal team.

 

Matthew (Matt) Lathrop
Experienced injury lawyer serving accident victims in Nebraska and Omaha. Expert in focus group trial prep.
Post A Comment