If you are injured at work, you may be concerned about how the treatment for your injury will be covered. Workers' compensation is put in place to help pay for damages caused by work-related accidents. However, it is important to follow the workers' compensation guidelines of your company in order to help ensure your retribution. Here are a few questions that you may have if you become injured on your job:

What should you do when the injury takes place?

If you're injured in your workplace, you may momentarily feel confused and concerned about your next steps. As soon as the injury occurs, it is important to report it. Your manager or supervisor will need to know that the incident has transpired. He or she will likely direct you to contact a physician that has been approved to treat workers' compensation injuries for your organization. Your supervisor should also provide you with a workers' compensation claim form. On this form, which serves as an official record of your injury, you can detail what transpired at the time of the accident.

It is important to avoid procrastinating when it comes to reporting your injury. By delaying the notification, you may jeopardize your ability to receive compensation.

Do you have to see the doctor suggested by your company?

In some cases, you are required to see the doctor suggested by your organization, at least initially. It depends on the guidelines of your particular state.

In situations in which you are require to see a specific physician, there may be a treatment time requirement. In such a case, you would only be able to see another physician concerning the injury once the initial time period has expired. 

What will the workers' compensation insurance pay for?

Your workers' compensation will pay for costs associated with your injury. For instance, your hospital or doctor's bills may be covered if they are medically necessary to treat your injury. Also, if you are not permitted to return to work for a period and are not paid during that time, workers' compensation may cover a portion of your lost wages.

If you have been permanently disabled because of your workplace injury, you may be compensated for damages. In addition, the insurance may cover training for another type of job if your injury will keep you from returning to your old position

To learn more about workers' compensation rules, schedule an appointment with a workers' comp attorney from a firm like Hardee and Hardee LLP.