Michigan workers compensation lawyer explains important time limits and why you should never wait to tell your employer about a work injury.
We were recently contacted by a man who had a work injury almost thirty years ago. He was paid workers compensation benefits for a short period of time and then recovered. He is now having more problems and wants to reopen his claim. Unfortunately, the insurance company has denied payment of additional workers compensation benefits.
This issue comes up frequently as many people want to know if they can collect workers compensation benefits for an old injury. Many of these individuals have been working in pain and without proper medical care for years.
Here is what we tell our clients about workers compensation and the statute of limitations. Wage loss and medical can be paid for life. You can always pursue workers compensation benefits for an old injury if you gave proper notice and made claim. This is why it’s very important to tell your employer about an injury when it happens and to seek appropriate medical care.
Notice under workers compensation in Michigan
Notice must be provided within 90 days of your work injury. This can be accomplished by simply telling your supervisor or a manager that you hurt yourself at work.
While notice does not have to be in writing, you should ask to fill out a company accident form. If your employer does not have a company accident form, you can make one yourself. Write a brief statement explaining when and how you were hurt. Give the accident report to your employer and keep a copy for your records.
Claim under workers compensation in Michigan
Claim must be made within 2 years of your work injury. This can be done by asking your employer for wage loss benefits and/or medical treatment under workers compensation. It is a good idea to ask for benefits in writing to ensure proof of claim. This can be done by sending a letter to your employer by certified mail. Always keep a copy for yourself.
While you can seek current and future workers compensation benefits, you will be limited in what you can collect for the past. In general, you can only get workers compensation benefits going back either one or two years.
Talk to an experienced workers compensation lawyer in Michigan
It can be very difficult to get an insurance company to cover an old work injury. Don’t count on the insurance company to do the right thing.
An experienced workers compensation lawyer can help you recover all the benefits that you are entitled to receive. Call (855) 221-COMP to speak with one of our workers compensation lawyers. There is no fee unless you get benefits.
- Alex Berman is the founder of Michigan Workers Comp Lawyers. He’s been representing injured and disabled workers exclusively for more than 35 years. Alex has helped countless people obtain workers compensation benefits and never charges a fee to evaluate a case.
Related information:
Video: Injured at work? Advice from a Michigan workers comp lawyer
Contact Us – Free advice about Michigan workers compensation
- Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, by bogenfreund.
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