How to Apply for Workers’ Compensation in Bakersfield

When you suffer an injury at work, workers’ compensation kicks in to cover many of the damages you suffered. Not only does workers’ comp usually pay for any medical costs directly, but it will also provide a percentage of your income throughout your recovery, while you are unable to work because of your injuries. However, workers’ comp can be a complex process. Understanding how to apply for workers’ compensation in Bakersfield can help you navigate the process and ensure you get the coverage you deserve. Our workers’ compensation attorneys are here to guide you.

Notify the Employer

The first step in determining how to apply for workers’ comp in Bakersfield is notifying the injured worker’s employer. Some employers may require that workers report their injuries as soon as they occur. They may also have requirements around where the injured worker needs to seek care, including seeing a specific clinic or provider for an initial assessment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Notifying the employer begins the process of navigating a workers’ compensation claim and creates a reference of when the injury took place, which can prove essential in establishing that the injury occurred at work.

Fill Out the Paperwork

An injured worker’s employer must provide them with a copy of the DWC-1 form within one working day of the injury report. The injured worker should fill out that form completely, to the best of their ability. It will ask for information about the employee directly as well as information about the injury, how it occurred, and the affected part of the body.

Submit the Form

California law allows employees in Bakersfield to submit their workers’ compensation application in person or by mail. However, submitting via certified mail creates a record that the form was submitted and when the worker put in their request. Keeping this record can decrease the risk of complications later, since the company or insurance provider cannot claim that the worker did not send it.

Wait for the Response

Once the form is submitted to the insurance company, it has up to 14 days to notify the injured worker about the status of their claim. The worker should not need to take further steps to seek coverage for their injuries.

Contact a Lawyer

Sometimes, a worker who suffered injuries on the job may end up dealing with a workers’ comp denial. If the claim is denied or if the employer does not provide the worker with information about available coverage within a reasonable period of time after the accident, a lawyer can help.

Some workers’ comp claims do not require legal support. However, when an employer does not uphold their obligations to the employee or the insurance company does not accept the claim, a lawyer can help injured workers understand how to appeal a workers’ compensation claim or fight for the assistance they deserve.

Discuss How to Apply for Workers’ Compensation in Bakersfield with a Lawyer

If you suffered injuries at work and you need to know how to apply for workers’ compensation in Bakersfield, or if you have questions about the compensation you should expect and the coverage you deserve, our lawyers can help. At Levin & Nalbandyan, we understand the challenges that can arise when you suffer workplace injuries, and we are here to help you fight. Our award-winning attorneys can guide you through your workers’ compensation claim and help you fight for assistance and coverage. Contact us today for your free consultation.