Financial Assistance While Awaiting a Workers' Compensation Appeal Decision

When you can’t work because of an on-the-job injury, you need money to pay the bills. Workers’ compensation provides wage and medical benefits for work-related injuries. However, it can take time before your benefits kick in. If your employer disputes your workers’ comp claim, it can take even longer.

Workers’ compensation laws vary by state. Talk to a local workers’ compensation lawyer about how you can get by while waiting for your workers’ comp appeal.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits Provide Financial Support

Workers’ compensation benefits include wage and medical benefits to help while you’re unable to work. You can also get vocational rehabilitation services to adapt to your job or train for a new job. For fatal workplace accidents, family members and dependents can get death benefit payments.

Workers’ comp provides medical care for work-related injuries and occupational diseases. This helps cover the medical bills and any medical treatment needed to recover from your injuries. Sometimes, workers’ comp covers lifetime care for serious medical conditions.

When you can’t make the income you made before, wage loss benefits can help you get by until you can return to work. Wage loss benefits won’t be as much as you were getting before your injury or impairment. Benefits are usually about two-thirds of your average weekly wage. The amount of disability benefits you receive depends on the extent of your injuries. You might get one of the following:

• Temporary partial disability
• Temporary total disability (TTD)
• Permanent partial disability
• Permanent total disability

Understanding Financial Challenges During Workers’ Comp Appeals

In a simple workers’ compensation case, injured employees can start getting their benefits within a few weeks. However, if the insurance company denies your claim, your benefits may be delayed. The insurance carrier may dispute your claim to avoid paying the costs of disability payments and medical expenses.

It’s up to you to request a hearing or appeal a denied workers’ compensation claim. The dispute and appeals process can be slow. There’s additional time for the workers’ compensation insurance company to respond. Each step in the appeals process takes more and more time before you can start getting benefits.

While the claim is in appeal, the insurance carrier may not have to make payments. If you eventually win your case, they’ll have to pay your back benefits and reimbursements for any medical expenses. However, it can take months before the workers’ compensation board makes a final ruling. During this time, you don’t have an income or medical benefits.

Paying Medical Bills During Workers’ Comp Disputes

Medical expenses in the United States are among the highest in the world. Even regular care can be more than people can afford. Medical care for a serious injury can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. According to the National Safety Council, the average medical cost of a workers’ comp vehicle accident claim was almost $50,000. A slip and fall workers’ comp injury averages more than $27,000.

Generally, if your medical treatment relates to workplace injury, you don’t have to make payments until the end of the appeal. Once you win your case, the workers’ comp insurance company should pay for your medical care.

Managing Finances While Awaiting a Decision

During the appeal, you generally won’t get workers’ comp wage benefits. However, the bills still keep coming in. With rent, car payments, credit card bills, and food costs, you can run out of your savings quickly. You have to start managing your finances while waiting for the appeal’s outcome. You can start with friends and family to provide temporary help while you await compensation payments.

Government Benefits for Injured Workers

State and federal government benefit programs can help provide financial support. Federal government programs include Social Security benefits for seniors and disabled workers. You have to meet the eligibility requirements to get Social Security benefits. It can also take time before you start getting regular payments.

State public assistance programs can provide temporary support. State support programs also include:

• Temporary assistance for needy families (TANF)
• Disabled cash assistance
• Health insurance (Medicaid)
• Food assistance (SNAP and WIC)
• Housing help
• Help with utility bills

Contact your local, state, and federal government for financial assistance while you wait for benefits.

File Your Claim as Soon as You Can

To speed up getting your benefits, report your injury as soon as possible. Fill out your workers’ comp claim as soon as you can and submit all supporting evidence. Work with your employer and healthcare provider to make sure you have all the information submitted on time.

This can help get the process started. However, it’s more important that you do everything right the first time. A workers’ comp lawyer can help make sure you have all the information necessary to get your benefits.

Workers’ Comp Settlement Options

The insurance company may want to settle your claim if you can’t go back to work. A settlement is a way for you to get a lump sum payment for your benefits. Talk to your lawyer about the benefits of a settlement. It can also help you avoid the delays of waiting for the appeals process.

Legal Help During the Workers’ Comp Appeals Process

The workers’ compensation appeals process can take a long time. During that time, your bills continue to pile up, and no benefits are coming in. Many people don’t think they’ll be able to hire an attorney to help with their case. But most workers’ comp lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.

Contingency arrangements mean you don’t have to pay anything upfront. The lawyer only gets paid if you get money. In some cases, your lawyer can also recover attorney fees from the insurance company to lower your costs.

Most workers’ comp lawyers also offer a free consultation. You can talk to a lawyer about your legal options without any financial obligation. After hiring a lawyer, they can help you explore your financial options to cover your expenses during the appeal. Your lawyer can also negotiate with the insurance company to get a good settlement. Contact a workers’ comp lawyer for more information about your financial assistance options.