When you suffer a workplace injury or occupational illness in Oklahoma, you have 30 days to file a claim once you become aware that the injury or illness was caused by working conditions. The first piece of paperwork you are required to file following an on the job injury is called the Employee’s First Notice of Accidental Injury and Claim for Compensation. From this point on, the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim and pursuing benefits for your injury or illness can become somewhat complicated. For this reason, it is a good idea to enlist the help of a qualified workers’ compensation attorney to review your case and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process. Here at Oklahoma Legal Center, our lawyers are familiar with workers’ compensation laws in Oklahoma, and can help you pursue the benefits you are entitled to.
Releasing Medical Records to the Insurance Carrier
Once you have filed a workers’ comp claim, there are a number of steps that your employer’s workers’ compensation carrier may take in the process of considering your claim, including filing a request to review your medical records. If, after suffering an injury or illness at work, you fail to seek prompt medical attention, it may be difficult to connect the injury or medical condition to your job later down the line. Under these circumstances, you may be less likely to receive the benefits you deserve. Reviewing a claimant’s medical records is a common step in processing a workers’ compensation claim in Oklahoma, and, if you have nothing to hide, you should not be concerned when the release of your medical records is requested by the workers’ comp carrier.
Pursuing Medical Attention for a Workplace Injury
Following the discovery of an on-the-job injury or illness, your first course of action should be to seek medical attention. If you are planning to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits in Oklahoma, it is extremely important that your injury or medical condition is reported to a medical professional and detailed in your medical records. This is because, once you file a claim, your medical records will likely be pored over by your employer’s workers’ comp carrier, and the company will likely be looking for any opportunity to deny your claim, i.e. a preexisting condition or injury. If the insurance company can prove that your current knee injury, for example, was caused by a condition that you have been treated for in the past, it is unlikely that they will pay your claim.
Consult Our Experienced Attorneys Today
After suffering a serious injury or illness on the job in Oklahoma, collecting medical or disability benefits is often critical in covering the cost of medical expenses and lost income due to missed days at work. However, there are a number of factors that can play a role in the denial of your workers’ compensation claim, which could result in a significant financial burden for you and your family. If you have been injured or fallen ill because of unsafe working conditions in Oklahoma, our knowledgeable attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center can help you pursue the benefits you deserve. Our Oklahoma City-based law firm has experience handling workers’ compensation claims throughout the state, and we are here to help you every step of the way.