When an employee becomes injured on the job in Wisconsin, it can be a relief to know that workers’ compensation insurance may be available to them. This provides them with certain benefits to assist them while they are injured and unable to return to work. Continue reading below to learn more about the rights and responsibilities of injured workers during this time.
What are the Rights of Injured Workers?
When a person sustains a work-related injury, there are certain rights they have under workers’ compensation law. This includes the following:
- Injured workers may have the right to receive benefits. This is regardless of who caused or helped cause the injury.
- Injured workers do not have the right to benefits if they injured themselves intentionally, they were injured while voluntarily participating in off-duty activities, or the injury occurred during horseplay or fighting initiated by them
- They have the right to receive medical care reasonable and necessary to the work-related injury or illness
- They have the right to a first and second choice of doctors licensed to practice in the state. Out-of-state or third choice doctors must be made by mutual agreement with the insurance carrier unless they have a referral from a doctor
- Injured workers do not need approvals to go to a different doctor if it is for emergency treatment, within the same partnership or clinic as the original doctor selected, or upon referral from their original choice of doctors
- They have the right to confidentiality
What are the Responsibilities of Injured Workers?
During this time, injured workers have the following responsibilities:
- To tell their employer about the injury or illness immediately
- To submit to reasonable medical or surgical treatment. They can refuse if it might endanger life or limbs
- To submit to reasonable examinations scheduled by the insurance carrier
- To tell the insurance carrier any time the worker’s income changes
- To tell the doctors how the injury occurred and if they believe it is work related
- To tell the insurance carrier how to contact them and let them know if this information ever changes
Contact
If you have become the victim of an on the job injury, it may be beneficial to speak with an attorney and the doctor that is treating you to determine how to make the process as easy as possible. AllianceMeds understands that a workplace accident can be challenging and is here to help. We will deliver your medication to your door using overnight delivery and cover any out of pocket expenses that may arise. If you have any questions about how we can help, contact AllianceMeds today.