Workers’ compensation helps employees who get injured or sick on the job. By providing compensation to sick or injured workers, they can have access to medical care, wage loss benefits, or even ongoing rehab appointments. If you or a loved one is facing an injury that has impacted their ability to go to work, you could be facing a financial struggle. Understanding your workers’ compensation in Michigan is the first step to receiving benefits. Reporting your injury and receiving your workers’ comp benefits is vital to your family’s future, and it could be disastrous if the workers’ comp payments were delayed. If your workers’ comp check is late, contact an experienced attorney who can help you fight for your family’s safety net.
Understanding Workers’ Comp Payment Timelines in Michigan
Receiving your workers’ compensation benefits in Michigan has very specific timelines that you must follow as an employee to ensure that your benefits arrive on time.
Here are some things to know about your comp payments:
- Waiting period: Employees must be disabled for at least one week before they are eligible
- First payment: Two weeks after eligibility has been established
- Payments: Weekly
Late payments have special parameters. They aren’t considered late until they arrive 30 days after the due date. There are penalties for late or missing payments, but watching for them is vital. If they are late or missing, it’s a good indicator that the benefits will be disputed. Every workers’ comp claim is different, and you should understand your legal rights before accepting any payout.
When Should You Expect Your First Payment?
Workers’ comp wage loss benefits should start on the 8th day of disability. Although this time includes weekends and holidays, it can take quite a lot of time for insurance companies to process claims. Most claims are not paid until about 15-30 days later.
Grace Period for Late Payments
If your workers’ comp check is late, you should contact an Ann Arbor Workers Compensation lawyer to inform them that your benefits haven’t been paid. Late or even missing payments are a good indicator that your benefits are potentially being disputed. This will allow your attorney the most time to contact the insurance companies and build your case to restore payments.
In Michigan, if your check is late, there are penalties if your claim is not disputed.
- $50 per day
- Maximum of $1,500
If you are wrongly denied workers’ comp benefits, you need a law firm to file the necessary claims to get you the benefits you deserve. The Bruce Weider Law Firm is committed to recovering the lost wages that you are entitled to.
Taking Action When Your Workers’ Comp Check is Late
Filing a workers’ compensation claim doesn’t mean that it will automatically be approved or that the payments won’t be unnecessarily put “under investigation.” It also means that a workers’ comp denial doesn’t necessarily mean you are left without a course of action. Workers whose checks are late or even denied should work with an experienced attorney who can handle the denial process so that you and your loved ones receive the financial compensation that you need to live.
Utilizing an experienced attorney will allow you to focus on healing and your family while they offer legal guidance and help you navigate the appeal.
Bruce Weider, PC: Fighting For Your Workers’ Comp Rights
Injuries on the job can have lasting and far-reaching impacts on your physical and mental health and even your financial security. Injuries that leave you unable to work can devastate a family. While trying to focus on recovery, you shouldn’t have to also navigate the complex and often frustrating workers’ compensation legal system.
Reaching out to the Bruce Weider Law Firm for a free consultation on your workers’ comp benefits will help ensure that you receive the maximum benefits allotted by Michigan law. Contact us today by calling (734) 485-0535 so we can help you as soon as we can. Every day matters when it comes to your family’s future.
