Workers' Compensation in Nevada

When you are hurt while working for a company, it is important to know what the workers' compensation packages in Nevada can do for you. Whether it is the filing requirements or the statute of limitations, the details can support or break the case. Support from a legal professional can assist in working through a denial. The following details are crucial in understanding this process.

Workers' Compensation Fundamentals

When a person suffers an injury while working for a company, is not on the site but injured while performing job duties or suffers a condition because of circumstances at the business, he or she has the ability to file a workers' compensation incident report. This usually starts with notification through a direct supervisor with emergency medical services helping out. Then, the employee will need to file the matter with the appropriate insurance carrier. The worker can receive benefits through the package depending on what the employer purchased from the carrier.

All private employers in the state of Nevada must acquire and maintain workers' compensation packages for employees. The protection comes in the form of coverage for the injury event. There is no need to prove fault with the injury. Because the workers' compensation package takes care of most of the damages necessary for recovery, the state of Nevada helps to remove the ability of employees to sue the company. This is what the workers opt out of when receiving available workers' compensation benefits in writing. Once the employee suffers an injury, he or she must follow the necessary procedures in place.

Filing Requirements

The initial filing requirements for workers' compensation require the filling out of forms based on the type of incident that occurred. The first notice is that of the injury or an occupational disease. This needs completion within seven days after the accidental event. The worker will give this to the employer who will then maintain the form for up to three years in case of future need. Depending on the type of physical injury, the employee will use a C-1 through C-4 form. The standard is the C-4 for compensation coverage under this package. Industrial accidents or occupational diseases require the C-3 form.

The C-4 form is sent to the insurance company when filing the workers' compensation event. This is something both the employee and the medical provider will fill out when treatment is sought. The claim does not begin until this form is complete. This is the Employee's Claim for Compensation or Report of Initial Treatment form which will also provide the employer with a copy for future need as well as the insurance company. The injured workers should also retain a copy. The medical provider that the employee sees for treatment must sign and date the form within 90 days from the injury date or when the worker first noticed an occupational disease.

The Statute of Limitations in Nevada

When filing the workers' compensation claim, the individual has no waiting period for the claim to progress. The limit placed on these claims is through the C-4 form with a 90-day period available after the incident occurs. Depending on the circumstances and limitations, it is possible to reopen the case, but it is important to proceed through the initial claim until it is no longer necessary. Once injured, the worker will need to visit an appropriate doctor and receive treatment. The claim will progress naturally once all forms are with the appropriate authorities. Once the employee recovers from the physical harm, he or she can work light duties at the company. If the insurance company denies the claim, the employee has up to 70 days to file an appeal.

In Nevada, the employee has the ability to reopen the workers' compensation claim at any point when necessary for life. He or she can petition to have the initial or previous claim reopened when it is proven through certification by a doctor that the injury or condition sustained is worse than before. Once the claim is open again, the employee usually has the same benefits available as previous unless the issue requires further consideration.

Workers' Compensation Benefits

Employees usually require the services provided through workers' compensation packages because of the injury and the lack of work during treatment and recovery periods. Many workers will suffer physical damage through occupational disease or repetitive motion injuries that can remove the person from the company for long periods where he or she is under temporary disability. The claim may provide benefits for these conditions when the individual qualifies. Even immigrant workers receive coverage under Nevada state workers' compensation packages. There is a variety of benefits possible through a successful claim.

The general benefit that the employee will receive is up to 68 percent of current wages. The Worker's Employee Wage Verification Form or D-8 form completed by the employer will assist in assessing this amount of current average wages. After receiving the C-4 form, the employer has up to six days to complete the paperwork and send it to the insurance company. This form will also specify that the employee will not work for up to five days in a consecutive twenty-day period. The need to collect up to the 68 percent of current wages is crucial when the person cannot receive any other income during treatment and recovery.

Self-Insurance

If the employer does not purchase workers' compensation packages, he or she can become self-insured. This usually is possible through one of two ways that will still offer similar protection to employees in the company. The employer can purchase the self-insurance policy alone. To qualify for this option, the company must net over $2.5 million in value and remain at this level or above to stay with the program. The employer may need to verify his or her coverage online or through the self-insurance list for employers.

The other program option for self-insurance is the that of the group. There are nine groups in Nevada that provide the means to become self-insurance for occupational insurance for employees. The employer can apply for membership in one of these nine groups and then comply with mandatory adherence to workers' compensation coverage. The employer will need to research each group to determine if he or she wants one over another. There is also information online and through a facilitator.

Types of Injuries

In companies and industries that see various workplace injuries, there are some that are common across the industry. These tend to group together with multiple workers exhibiting signs of physical harm. The following includes the common injuries an employee may experience in Nevada:

• Overexertion either with long work shifts or out in the heat
• Falling a small distance
• Falling to lower levels in a building or from a building
• Objects hitting the employee
• Collision on the roadway
• Slips, falls and trips
• Wedged in between equipment
• Repetitive motions such as the same use of tools every day
• Exertions for an extended time

Many companies can also use chemicals or equipment that could cause damage to the employee through disease or medical conditions that affect his or her health. These ailments are usually covered through a claim with the workers' compensation package. In Nevada, the employee can recover from injuries at the job even if the injury is not from a specific event. Either injuries or diseases affecting the worker can cause stress and affect employment. Some gradual mental or emotional stimulus can lead to debilitating circumstances.

Other factors may be present in the company such as a chemical or item that causes an infectious disease. The individual can encounter such problems when receiving medical services, during emergency medical assistance or when at the job site. This can provide workers' compensation through a viable claim. Heart and pulmonary complications through work-related duties can either disable or kill the employee. Injuries that leave him or her still alive usually initiate the claim. Psychological injuries are less common and may require qualification for these claims. Occupational diseases may disable the employee and lead to long-term benefits for both insurance coverage and income. Some of these may lead to vocational retraining or maintenance.

Temporary Disability Benefits

Through a workplace incident, the employee may suffer temporary disability and not have any ability to remain working within the company during this period. This is through either partial or total disability status. Generally, the individual will only earn up to 66.666 percent of the current average income earned at the business. In temporary partial disability, the person has use of his or her limbs but require time to recover and become whole. Therapy and physical retraining may become necessary for the body to become used to previous motions and actions at the company.

Temporary total disability pays the same as the partial counterpart through bi-weekly income. However, in this case, the employee is completely disabled. He or she would have a total lack of or restriction in movement and various motions. In some rare circumstances, the individual would have limits in moving away from a bed or chair. The employer cannot usually provide work because of these limitations on movement. Even with reasonable accommodations, the worker is unable to perform job duties. Some individuals suffering from a total disability are still in recovery and will have significant drugs in the system to help with pain and other complications.

Permanent Disability benefits

Instances of permanent disability are also either partial or total and will usually remain in effect for the long-term. Benefits may occur through a lump sum settlement. The total amount received by the employee depends on the percentage of disability he or she suffers from because of the accident as well as this person's age and wages earned before the disability. If the permanent disability is total, the workers' compensation coverage will provide monetary benefits for the rest of his or her life. This situation removes the ability to work in the long-term. If the disability is not complete and total, it is possible to make use of vocational rehabilitation to work in a different industry or with another company.

Vocational rehabilitation maintenance is money that the injured employee can receive when training for a different job or to work for a different company. It provides similar benefits as temporary disability. Training is available to assist this employee to work in a different occupational industry. The level and limitations of both physical and educational factors will determine what type of rehabilitation training is necessary. The length of training through this program runs through the percentage of disability the person suffers from after the accident. Depending on the circumstances, the vocational training can provide the individual with a new job that he or she will earn gainful employment through that is sufficient to live off of in the long-term.

Which Doctor to Use

Once injured, the employee must submit to a physical examination by a doctor. If affected by psychological or emotional trauma, this assessment may require a different kind of professional. If the worker refuses to comply with this mandatory examination, he or she usually will receive no compensation for the injury. However, when adhering to this necessary action, it is important to check what doctor to use in this situation. Many employees will make the mistake of seeing a personal doctor for the standard medical matters. For the claim to progress through valid actions, the individual must seek assistance through an authorized medical provider who is already a member of the Panel of Treating Physicians and Chiropractors in the state of Nevada.

While the employer may use a managed care organization or another provider for assistance, the employee must use a doctor on the list. He or she can view the list online or by asking the employer. Generally, the company will know a facility that is close by or doctors that usually handle the workers' compensation injuries. Additionally, the individual seeking treatment or the examination does not need to remain with the first doctor or chiropractor. He or she may choose a different professional for assistance within 90 days of the injury as long as the new doctor is still a member of the same Panel. The employee will need to make a change request approved by the insurance carrier.

Denials for Coverage

There are several ways that the insurance company will deny a claim. These include the following instances:

• Untimely filing the claim which occurs outside the 90-day period
• Drug and alcohol use while working that causes the injury
• Intentional injury to the body
• Fraudulent claims

There are some denials that arise through incomplete or inaccurate forms the employee fills out. It is important to seek the help of a professional when facing a denial.

Contact a Workers' Compensation Lawyer

If you were injured at work or when performing job duties for a company, you should contact a workers' compensation lawyer to understand what options are available to you moving forward. A personal lawyer hired for these matters can explain the Nevada workers' compensation laws and guidelines for the claims. The lawyer can also point out inconsistencies in a claim, why the denial occurred and what to do next. When the insurance carrier denies a valid claim, it is often important to seek the assistance of a lawyer to help determine why the denial occurred and how to proceed with an appropriate action or appeal. Without a legal professional to assist in these matters, the employee may face another denial and lose any chance of workers' compensation benefits. It is important to first consult with a lawyer to determine if he or she is the right fit for the appeal.

A Nevada workers' compensation lawyer can assist with the initial hearing and claim documentation and filing an appeal for a denial. Many personal lawyers working these cases will work on a contingency fee basis or work with the client to determine the best payment option. The legal fees will pay for the time and service performed by the lawyer while the costs include most administrative actions to include contact with officials and authorities and filing additional paperwork.

NV Worker Compensation Articles

Workers' Compensation Lawyers Nevada

Workers Compensation Articles USA