Question 1

What should I do if I'm injured at work?

Accepted Answer

If you are injured on the job, you should take the following steps:

Report the injury to your supervisor immediately.
Request to see a doctor.
Request and complete a workers' compensation claim form.
If mentally and physically able, notify your employer of a work-injury claim in writing within 4 days of the accident.
Contact a workmans' compensation attorney to discuss your legal rights.

Question 2

Is there a time limit to file workers' comp in Colorado?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The time period within which a workers' comp claim must be filed is known as the “statute of limitations” and they vary state by state.

In Colorado, it's important to report your injury and file a claim as soon as possible. In most cases, an injured worker has two years to file a claim, although a judge may allow up to three years depending on the case.

Review the chart below (provided by the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment) for more information:

Important Claims Timelines

Days	Responsible Party	Action
Immediately	Employer	Reports fatal injuries to Division
Within 4 days	Injured Worker	Reports injury in writing to employer
Within 10 days	Employer	Reports all injuries to carrier/insurer
Within 20 days	Insurer	Files an admission or denial of liability after receiving notice of an injury in cases where lost time, permanency, an occupational disease or a fatality occurs or at any time where a claim has been filed with the Division.
Within 45 days of date of mailing of Notice of Contest	Injured Worker	Files Application for an Expedited Hearing if claim has been denied in error
Within 30 days	Injured Worker	Must object to Final Admission of Liability if s/he disagrees with any part of it including: Filing for Division IME to dispute MMI or whole person impairment; or Filing for a hearing on any other issue
After 6 months	Insurer	If injured worker objects to a Final Admission of Liability and takes no action to prosecute the claim for additional benefits, the insurer may petition the Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation to close the claim
Within 4 weeks immediately following termination of continuous period of total disability	Injured Worker	Files an unemployment insurance claim

Question 3

Can my employer fire me while on workers' comp?

Accepted Answer

If you've been injured on the job in the state of Colorado, it's technically legal for an employer to fire you during the process of a workers' compensation claim. However, employers are not legally allowed to fire employees out of retaliation because of the claim. They must present valid reasons for the termination.

Colorado employers have to show just cause that an employee's actions were somehow responsible for their firing.

If you believe your employer has unjustly terminated you in response to your workers' compensation claim, it's in your best interest to call a qualified workers' compensation attorney immediately.

Question 4

What does workmans' compensation cover?

Accepted Answer

Workers' comp pays for hospital and medical expenses that are necessary to diagnose and treat your work-related injury.

Find out more about your benefits available under Colorado workers' compensation.

Question 5

Can I see my own doctor to be diagnosed with a work-related injury?

Accepted Answer

If you require immediate medical attention following an accident, you should go to the nearest emergency room for treatment. In non-emergency situations, you'll have to obey your state's laws regarding the proper ways to receive medical care. Certain states allow the employee to pick the physician who will treat them for their injuries, whereas other states provide employers that right.

In Colorado, the employer or insurance company has the right to select the physician that employees must use for treatment of work-related injuries. This becomes your designated medical provider.

While you must visit a designated doctor chosen by your employer or their insurer, you certainly have the right to get a second opinion.

Question 6

What are the first steps after getting hurt on the job?

Accepted Answer

As soon as you know that you're injured, be sure to tell your employer. From there, seek treatment from a doctor as soon as possible. In Colorado, you have four working days from the date of the injury to report the injury to your employer in writing.

Failure to do so could result in a loss of benefits for each day that a written notice isn't provided. Those who are unable to meet this requirement may have someone do so on their behalf.

Continue reading: How to File a Work Injury Claim

Question 7

What will my employer do after a work injury is reported?

Accepted Answer

Your employer is required to report all injuries to their workers' compensation insurance carrier. Only injuries that involve missing more than three days or shifts of work are reported to the Colorado Division of Workers' Compensation and must undergo the formal claim process. The deadline to report lost-time claims is within 10 days of finding out about the injury. For work injury claims that don't involve lost time, there is no deadline for reporting.

Regardless of whether the injury results in lost time at work or not, the workers' compensation claim process officially begins when the employer reports the injury to their carrier. If your employer has a designated medical provider list, they should provide that list to you.

Question 8

What happens after my workers' comp claim is filed?

Accepted Answer

The exact process followed by the insurance company depends, in part, on how long you've been out of work. Those who have missed more than three days of work (or more than three shifts) will receive a written response within 20 days of filing a claim.

If the claim is accepted, you should start to receive benefits either immediately or in the near future. If you have missed fewer than three days of work when filing a claim, you will be responsible for tracking the status of the claim.

Continue reading: Workers' Compensation Case Timeline

Question 9

What happens if my work injury claim is denied?

Accepted Answer

If your claim is denied, you have 45 days to request a hearing to challenge the denial. There is no specific deadline for requesting a hearing. If you pursue a hearing within 45 days, you can request an expedited hearing (which gets set within 60 days of the hearing application). If you request a hearing outside the 45 days, it's a regular setting time frame of 120 days. If you fail to pursue the claim within 6 months, the insurance carrier can file a motion to close the claim for lack of prosecution.

Workers' comp claims can be denied for any reason deemed sufficient by the insurance company. In some cases, applications are denied in error. Regardless of the reason, it's strongly recommended that you consult a work injury attorney at this point to discuss your legal options going forward.

Question 10

Which doctor do I see for treatment?

Accepted Answer

If your employer provides you with a list of designated medical providers, you must choose someone from that list. Otherwise, you may run the risk of losing workers' compensation benefits. In the event that no list is provided, you may see any doctor of your choice.

Who your workers' compensation doctor is can and will have a significant impact on how your claim proceeds. Any injured worker should consider consulting with a knowledgeable attorney familiar with workers' comp doctors in Colorado before selecting a provider.

Continue reading: What if My Workers' Compensation Doctor is not Providing the Proper Care?

Question 11

What workers' comp benefits am I entitled to?

Accepted Answer

While the exact compensation you're entitled to depends on your specific case, generally injured workers can have their medical bills paid for by the insurance carrier and be reimbursed for a portion of lost wages while out of work. If you have permanent ongoing problems or undergo significant treatment like a surgery due to the work injury, there may also be a possibility of permanent impairment/disability damages to be awarded at the end of the case.

Continue reading: Benefits Available under a Workers' Compensation Claim

Question 12

How much will I get paid for a work injury?

Accepted Answer

You may be entitled to up to two-thirds of your average weekly wage (AWW). The AWW is determined by reviewing IRS records, pay stubs, time records, and other recent pay information including commissions or tips received.

Continue reading: Maximum Benefit Rates for Colorado Workers' Comp – 2017-2018 Fiscal Year

Question 13

Am I entitled to unemployment benefits?

Accepted Answer

Unemployment benefits may be available to those who are still out of work after workers' compensation benefits expire. Applications should be made at least four weeks prior to the exhaustion of workers' compensation benefits, and they must be filed within three years of losing a job.

You can get unemployment benefits during the case as well, but it's rarely advisable to do so because the workers' comp carrier just gets to reduce what they pay due to an offset and it depletes the injured worker's unemployment bank.

Question 14

What happens if my employer doesn't carry workers' compensation insurance?

Accepted Answer

Most employers are required to carry coverage for their employees. You can get in touch with the Colorado Department of Labor to report your employer or otherwise address your concerns. Uninsured employers are still legally responsible for workers' compensation benefits. Injured workers can still pursue a claim and their employer will be penalized.

Question 15

What does Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) mean?

Accepted Answer

MMI is a term used by a doctor to acknowledge that your condition has been treated and is not expected to improve. Generally, this means that your condition is stable and will not respond to further treatment. Workers' compensation benefits may terminate upon receiving such a diagnosis.

If you have additional questions or concerns regarding a work-related injury, we recommend checking out our Workers' Compensation Guide or give us a call to schedule a free consultation with our expert Colorado work injury attorney.

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