new claim rights

[mollymoo]

I'm in California. I'm new to filing a workers comp claim. I'm very loyal to my employer, and didn't want to file a claim for a recent shoulder injury, to save my employer from the cost. It's been 4 weeks since the intial injury, and I've been to 2 Dr's appts for the injury, just preliminary appts. Dr's are wanting to go further, and ordered an MRI, thinking I may have a more severe injury than I thought, and I might need surgery.

Now I'm thinking I should've reported the injury to Workers Comp. Is it too late? What is the time frame for reporting an injury?

Please help. It may look like I'll need to take some time off work for the surgery. I don't want to lose my income while I'm out. Did I blow it by not reporting the injury right away?

[mollymoo]

I apologize I didn't include my state......California

[jayne]

1171 will be along and answer you she is an expert at California rules

[mollymoo]

thank you for your reply.....i'll wait to hear from 1171.

by the way....i love your comment on presidential conduct! i agree completely! what ever happened to authenticity?

[chrischris]

In California, Claims need to be filed within 30 days of your first doctor's appt., or the date you become aware you have a work related injury.

[mollymoo]

Thank you for your help....i might be right on the edge.

[1171]

legally you have up to a year if it needs to go to comp court.

without medical evidence to support your claim it won't get far.
doctors are required to report any work injuries they are treating.
If yours haven't done so by now it may mean a problem.

here's a link to the claim reporting form:
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/DWCForm1.pdf

[mollymoo]

Thank you so much for forwarding the claim forms. I'll see what I can do at this point. It's in God's hands now.......I appreciate your help.