Injured in a workplace accident? What are the important records to maintain in support of your claim?

For the most part, filing an Alabama workers’ compensation claim involves plenty of paperwork that includes medical records and various bills. It is paramount to maintain a file containing the copies of all the documents that are submitted including a copy of the filled out and filed worker’s compensation form. This file must also contain your notes on the accident.

Maintaining proper records will help while negotiating with the insurance company and to provide proof to the worker’s compensation board in the event your claim is denied. This file is the first thing that your lawyer will ask for in case of a dispute. Given below are list of records you ought to maintain in order to make the process much smoother, according to leading Birmingham, AL workers’ compensation lawyers. 

Miscellaneous expenses and mileage

To seek medical treatment for workplace injuries you may often need to travel some distance. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain travel logs to be reimbursed for the miles travelled.

The standard rate is approximately 0.56c per mile although the rate varies from state to state. It is prudent to also keep parking bills, toll receipts, and public transportation tickets as you can also be reimbursed for those expenses as well. Keep detailed notes of the dates of visits to your physician, psychological, and physical therapist.

Birmingham, AL workers’ compensation lawyer know how to get the job done. You can find them or one of them using USAttorneys.com. This website is one of the many websites that makes the Internet what it is. 

Track attendance record

According to Alabama workers’ compensation attorneys, workers who are unable to return to work temporarily can receive temporary disability compensation. Usually a worker will get an average of 60 to 70% of their total weekly wages. You may also be entitled to partial temporary compensation if you are able to return to work but is forced to take light duty with a reduced pay.

Now if you want to see light duty you should watch the movie Black Hawk Down where they told this Special Force’s soldier he could not fight as long as he had a cast on his arm. His response? He chose to cut the cast off despite not being fully healed so he could fight. Now not that many people have that type of devotion to their job but if you are hurt you are hurt. You should have time to recuperate and not be asked to do things that could put you further at risk.

The fact that President Clinton did not allow the weapons that should have been available for the Special Forces teams put everyone more at risk and even got Americans killed in October of 93 in Mogadishu but this is another story.

Moreover, even though your employer will record your absence, you must record the dates in your own notes, so that you can point out discrepancies in your employer’s records.

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Record all the paperwork submitted or received

Birmingham, AL workers’ compensation lawyers suggest that you keep copies of all the correspondence you have received from the insurance company and the worker’s compensation board. In addition, keep copies of all the documents you have submitted with the claim form. Keep notes of telephonic conversations, the date of conversations, who you spoke with, what you were told and how you reacted after the conversation.

These notes will help your legal pro in case of your workers’ comp is denied. Make sure to preserve copies of accident reports, medical reports, claim forms, doctor’s reports, and other documentation and correspondence with the workers’ comp agency.

Pain journal

Legal experts recommended that you maintain a pain journal that explains the symptoms and the nature of pain that you suffer from due to the injury. Do not forget to mention any physical limitations, mental agony, discomfort as well as inability to take part in basic daily activities. This will allow the judge to understand the severity of the trauma. 

Most importantly, if you are injured in a workplace accident, make sure to contact an Alabama workers’ compensation lawyer to evaluate your case.