Steps to Take After a Workplace Injury in Bardstown, KY

Follow your Treatment Plan

Failing to adhere to your treatment plan will impact your claim. Insurers can argue that your injuries are not as significant as you claim, or that you’ve made your condition worse by failing to follow medical advice. You want to do everything that you can to heal properly and quickly.

Follow your doctor’s advice and:

• Attend appointments with your doctor until told otherwise.
• Take any medications prescribed and recommended to you.
• If physical therapy is advised, continue attending until your doctor says otherwise.
• Avoid going back to work until you’re medically cleared, or if you are working make sure you stay within any work restrictions.

When or if you return to work, adhere to any restrictions that your doctor puts in place for your work duties.

What to Expect During the Claims Process

If you suffer a workplace injury, the first step in the claim process is to submit an Application for Resolution of Claim to the Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims.

At this stage, it is highly recommended that you work with an attorney who can represent you by submitted proof on your behalf, negotiating a settlement, or representing you at a hearing.

An attorney can help you understand the steps in filing a claim and what to expect along the way.

Injured workers in Kentucky may be entitled to a number of benefits, including:

• Medical bills. Workers’ comp benefits will cover all necessary medical expenses, including hospital bills, doctor visits, prescriptions, physical therapy and other care you may need, as well as reimburse mileage to and from appointments.
• Temporary total disability. If you cannot return to work for at least seven days, you may receive this benefit, which is paid to you at a rate of 2/3 your pre-injury average weekly wage.
• Permanent total disability. If your injury causes you to be permanently unable to return to work, you may be entitled to this benefit, which provides 2/3 of your pre-injury average weekly wage until you turn 70 years old.
• Permanent partial disability. You may receive this benefit if you suffer a permanent injury but can still return to work in some capacity, and this is based on an assigned impairment rating and other factors.
• Death benefits. In cases where injuries lead to death, in addition to a lump sum death benefit, surviving spouses and dependents may receive weekly benefits up to 75% of the worker’s average weekly wages.

It’s important to ensure that you receive the maximum benefits you are entitled to by law to reduce the emotional and financial stress of your injuries.

What Injuries Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?

In Kentucky, a work injury is defined as “any work-related traumatic event or series of traumatic events, including cumulative trauma, arising out of and in the course of employment which is the proximate cause producing a harmful change in the human organism evidenced by objective medical findings.” 

Most injuries that meet the criteria above, however, are eligible for benefits, including but not limited to:

• Traumatic injuries, such as those caused by one-time accidents (e.g., a fall from a ladder).
• Repetitive motion injuries and other occupational injuries that occur over a longer period of time.