When Will I Receive My Benefits?
How Long Does It Take to Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Detroit?
You go to work every day to earn a living for yourself and your family. Now, an injury threatens to rob you of that ability.
If you were hurt on the job, you’re likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. That comes with medical treatment, prescription coverage, payments for lost wages, and sometimes help returning to work.
If your injury means you can’t work, this can be a lifesaver.
But your bills don’t stop coming. You might be worried about how long it will take for workers’ comp to start.
Some portions of your workers’ comp benefits should kick in immediately. But you might need an experienced lawyer to fight delays and get the maximum benefits available to you.
Since 1964, Levine Benjamin Law Firm has been proud to help families coping with health and financial worries in Detroit, Flint, Lansing, Grand Rapids and all across Michigan.
From applying to appealing, we help you every step of the way.
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Your Medical Treatment Comes First
You should report your injury or illness to your employer as quickly as possible. Then the medical treatment you receive under workers’ comp should start immediately.
First, you’ll probably visit a physician chosen by your employer. After four weeks, you have the right to choose another doctor, which you should do to ensure your medical provider puts your needs first, not your employer’s.
You’ll need to notify your employer about the change of doctors.
If your employer refuses to fill out an initial incident report and inform you of the next steps, call a workers’ compensation attorney.
Companies aren’t supposed to make receiving benefits difficult, but sometimes they’re more worried about their insurance rates than your well-being.
Even if you do immediately see a doctor, that’s not the end of what you should get with workers’ comp. You often are eligible for other hurt-on-the-job benefits, too.
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Michigan law says your workers’ comp payments should begin two weeks after your injury left you unable to work.
When Do I Start Getting Lost Wages Benefits?
Another important workers’ comp benefit is payment for wages you’re missing because you can’t work.
If you can’t work for more than three days immediately following the injury, and you remain unable to work, you can get checks for lost wages.
This money is a crucial way for you to keep up with your bills and maintain your lifestyle.
Michigan law dictates that the workers’ comp insurance company must start your payments two weeks after receiving notice of your inability to work.
If your checks are delayed—or they’re too small based on your recent income—a workers’ comp lawyer can help you fix the problem.
If you’re turned down for benefits entirely, the timeframe for getting workers’ compensation benefits can stretch longer—for months. But you still can appeal and win benefits with help from an attorney.
At Levine Benjamin, we have extensive experience helping clients through the maze of workers’ comp.
In fact, we’ve helped more than 80,000 people get the disability income they need.