It is important that you remember the two year rule. If you are hurt on the job but do not miss any time and are not paid any weekly workers’ compensation benefits (medical payments do not count) the employer is relieved of any responsibility of the injury after two years.
In many cases an employer will bring an injured worker back to work just to sit around so that they do not have to pay workers’ compensation, or will try and talk the injured worker into taking sick leave or vacation time. After two years the employer would not have to pay anything – including medical charges.
If you believe the effects of your injury continue you should, before the two years expire, consult a workers’ compensation attorney to review your case. Don’t wait until the last day – attorneys need time to study your case.
THE THREE YEAR RULE
If you have been hurt on the job and have been paid workers compensation benefits you are covered by the three year rule. After three years since you received your last payment of weekly workers’ compensation the employer is only responsible for medical care. You could have more workers’ compensation benefits coming for permanent damage done to your body or for a loss of future earning capacity as a result of injury. Again, you should ask a workers’ compensation attorney to review your case.
Many workers believe that once they are able to return to the job and do the same type of work the employer does not owe them any further compensation.
That’s not true. As will be discussed later the employer may owe you compensation for permanent partial disability. You should check it out before the three years run out.
