When you are injured at work, you may receive calls and communication from several parties, departments, and people. This can be overwhelming, but you may also wonder whom you should speak to.
Understanding the different people participating in a workers’ compensation claim can help you know what to expect. Our legal team at Sternberg | Forsythe, P.A. will happily answer your questions and help with your case. The information here will help you know what to expect until you get in touch.
Steps After You File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Florida
Once you file a workers’ compensation claim, your first point of contact will be with the SFM claims representative. In some situations, this will be the only person you speak to.
The claims representative will initiate the process by asking questions to learn about your situation and claim. This means getting details about your accident and injury and your health before the incident.
Along with getting information from you (the employee), the representative will become your main source of information about your claim.
It is important to note that your relationship with the claims representative will be maintained throughout, regardless of who else may become involved in your claim. Sometimes their role will be to introduce you to other participants in your claim.
Medical Case Manager
You may be assigned a medical case manager if you need medical care due to your work injury. The medical case manager’s (or team’s) job is to ensure you receive quality medical care while you recover.
The medical case manager’s team will evaluate and adjust your treatment to ensure it remains focused on helping you recover and return to work. Sometimes, this includes educating you about the available procedures and scheduling appointments with specialists when needed. When a medical case manager is assigned to your case, you can contact them with any questions you have about your treatment and recovery.
Vocational Rehabilitation
If you have experienced a severe injury or more serious complication, another professional may be brought in to help you get back to work. In this case, “vocational rehabilitation” will be offered by a neutral party who works as an intermediary with the health care system, employee, insurer, and employer to find and eliminate issues that may keep a worker from returning to their full health and productivity level.
Vocational rehabilitation consultants may meet with you in person to help with your recovery. They may also have different titles, such as a field nurse case manager, disability case manager, or qualified rehabilitation consultant.
The responsibilities of the vocational rehabilitation consultant assigned to your claim will differ based on your job. Sometimes, they will administer and implement a rehabilitation plan to help you reach pre-injury health and productivity levels.
You may also receive services from an NCM or DCM, which provide less formal services. Your employer or insurer can assign this individual to help you create a plan to get back to work.
Attorney
You may be anxious when you hear that attorneys may be involved in the workers’ compensation process. However, there is usually no reason to be concerned. If your claim requires input from a lawyer, it will likely be to offer legal expertise to others who are involved in your claim.
Contact Us to Get Help with Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
You have a lot to deal with if you are injured at work. The legal process can be confusing and complex. Our legal team is here to help in these situations and ensure you receive the benefits you are entitled to. The first step is to contact our office to schedule a free consultation.
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