When you sustain injuries in the workplace, you can recover damages by filing a workers’ compensation claim. Injuries sustained while performing work duties can demand extensive medical treatment and lead to lost wages. Among other damages you could be facing, you may have to deal with mounting transportation expenses.
The workers’ compensation laws in California allow employees to be reimbursed for travel costs related to their injuries. Understanding how mileage reimbursement in a Fresno workers’ compensation case works can help you receive the money you deserve.
Mileage reimbursement is a workers’ comp benefit that provides injured employees in Fresno with compensation for injury-related transportation expenses. The common types of expenses that fall into this category are:
The amount of reimbursement depends on a mileage rate, which can change from year to year depending on the inflation rates and other factors. To calculate the reimbursement, the insurance company multiplies the number of traveled miles by the mileage rate.
Reimbursement for injury-related travel can also include lodging, train tickets, highway tolls, and even parking costs. To receive this reimbursement, the employee has to submit all the relevant documents to the workers’ compensation insurance company.
The documentation includes drivers’ logs, parking receipts, and anything else connected to injury-related transportation. Proper documentation is key to receiving full mileage reimbursement in a workers’ compensation case in Fresno. The insurance company can refuse to make the payment without sufficient proof.
To notify the company about the expenses, the employee needs to fill out an official mileage reimbursement form. If the mileage compensation is denied, an attorney can help understand the cause and appeal the decision.
The workers’ compensation insurance will not cover transportation expenses unless the employee specifically demands them. It is the worker’s responsibility to collect all the relevant documents, fill out a form, and send it on time.
The insurance company usually has a form submission deadline. It is up to the employee to learn when to send the documents. However, it is also up to the insurance company to make the payment on time. If they delay the payout, it could be subject to a late penalty.
A workers’ compensation attorney in Fresno can provide extensive advice on all aspects of the compensation, including mileage reimbursement.
As an injured worker, you may be entitled to many types of compensation. However, if you do not know your rights, the insurance company can avoid paying you. Understanding how mileage reimbursement in a Fresno workers’ compensation case works allows you to file all the documents on time and receive the much-needed payment.
At Silberman & Lam, LLP, we can help you navigate all the aspects of your workers’ compensation case and work toward achieving a fair outcome. Call us to schedule a case review at any time.