Most companies would just as soon that you never make a worker’s compensation claim, thankyouverymuch …
Why not? Because one of the variables that is used to set the rates for their worker’s compensation coverage is their claims experience, which is how many claims have been made against them. The more claims, the more money the insurance company spends, the higher their bill is the next time around.
Everyone basically knows this, and if you are trying to be a team player and avoid sticking the company with a higher tab for worker’s comp, you may be tempted to just try to run the bill for your medical care through your health insurance or through the health insurance you got though your spouse.
That may make you a good team player, but it isn’t such a good idea.
Why? Because all health insurance policies have a provision in it which says that they are not responsible for paying bills that are covered by worker’s comp. They put that in there because they know that your employer is responsible for paying your medical bills through worker’s comp, and your health insurer doesn’t want to pay anything it doesn’t have to.
What is the consequence of putting it through your health insurance? At a minimum, there will be a delay in payment which will not make your doctor happy. And if your employer asks you to say that you hurt yourself doing something else (like saying you hurt your back gardening when you did it strapping down a load on your trailer), you may be setting yourself up for a denial of the claim when it turns out that things were worse than you thought.
The best move: be honest about what happened and put the responsibility on your employer’s worker’s compensation carrier to pay your accident related bills. After all, that is why they have to have it.
If you have a current worker’s compensation issue which you need help on, please feel free to reach out to our office by clicking here and completing the questionnaire. One of the attorneys in our office will be in touch with you as soon possible to discuss your issues and what options you have. There is no obligation to hire our law firm. You can also just call us at 312-263-1080. There is no charge for the call.
I hope this has been helpful, and if you know anyone who can benefit from this kind of information, please feel free to share this information. We are here to help truck drivers after an on-the-job accident. Knowledge is power, and the first step in protecting your rights is to know what they are.
Stay safe!
