Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Workers Comp Claim in Rhode Island

Workers’ compensation is supposed to be a straightforward way for Rhode Island workers to resolve their medical bills and be compensated for their injuries on the job. However, as a Rhode Island Workers Compensation Attorney, David Tapalian of Tapalian Law knows more than anyone how complicated this system can get and how many impediments really stand in the way of a worker getting their just payout. That’s why it’s essential to have a Workers Comp Lawyer Rhode Island residents trust help you navigate the process. In this guide, a Workers Comp Lawyer RI trusts will explain how to file a workers comp claim in our great state.

A Rhode Island Workers Compensation Attorney Explains The Process

Workers’ compensation covers the majority of full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees in Rhode Island. The exceptions are listed below:

• Domestic workers
• Independent contractors
• Casual employees
• Agricultural workers
• Volunteers
• Certain maritime workers

To learn more about who is eligible, you can read through materials provided by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. 

A wide range of work-related illnesses and injuries are covered by workers’ compensation, including the following:

• Accidents that happen on the job, such as machinery malfunctions, injuries from falls, trips, and slips, and other workplace incidents. 
• Diseases related to the workplace, including illnesses caused by exposure to hazardous conditions or substances. An example would include a worker getting ill from working in a factory that exposes the worker to chemicals, asbestos, or loud noises.
• Mental health conditions caused by work-related trauma or stress.
• Conditions known as “repetitive stress injuries” that develop over time due to performing repetitive tasks or motions. An example would be tendonitis caused by having to pull a heavy lever many times every single day on the job. 

Reporting Your Workplace Injury and The Claims Process

To ensure you get the workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to, you must report the work-related illness or injury in a timely manner. If you are injured on the job, you must notify your employer within 30 days of the incident or the date you become aware of any illness or injury. You must provide the proper documentation, including:

• Witness statements
• Medical records
• Photographs of the accident or injury scene
• Medical records

You file your workers’ compensation claim with your employer’s insurance carrier, who should provide you with the requisite instructions and forms. Normally there will be an Employee’s Claim for Compensation form and supporting documentation required, such as wage information and medical records. Generally you have two years from the date of injury or illness to file your claim. Working with a Workers Comp Lawyer Rhode Island trusts will help you expedite this process and ensure you get the benefits owed.

Contact Us Today

Although workers’ compensation is supposed to be a relatively straightforward process to compensation for workplace-related injuries and illnesses, insurance companies are always looking out for their bottom line. As a workers comp lawyer Rhode Island employees often turn to when they are denied, David Tapalian has helped many employees battle insurance companies to get the benefits they are owed. Working with an experienced Rhode Island Workers Compensation attorney is the best way to guarantee you are compensated optimally for your workplace injuries. Call Tapalian Law to consult with a Workers Comp Lawyer RI residents trust today.