When Do Workers’ Compensation Checks Start After a Workplace Injury in Jackson?
If you are injured at work in Jackson and cannot return to your job, you may quickly begin worrying about your paycheck. Medical bills and everyday expenses can continue even when a workplace injury prevents you from earning your normal wages.
Mississippi workers’ compensation may provide disability benefits to qualifying injured workers. However, these payments do not necessarily begin immediately after a workplace accident. Indeed, Mississippi workers’ compensation law establishes specific rules addressing both a waiting period and when compensation payments become due.
Here we discuss when workers’ compensation checks may start after a Jackson workplace injury and where to turn for legal help with your Jackson workers’ compensation case.
Is There a Waiting Period for Mississippi Workers’ Compensation?
Mississippi workers’ compensation law typically imposes a five-day waiting period for disability compensation. Medical benefits are treated differently and are not included in this waiting period. This means that if your workplace injury keeps you from working for only a few days, you may not receive disability compensation for those days. However, there is an important exception. If your workplace injury results in disability lasting 14 days or longer, Mississippi law provides that compensation is allowed from the date of disability.
For a Jackson worker who suffers a serious injury and misses significant time from work, understanding this rule can be important when determining what benefits may be available.
When Should Your First Workers’ Compensation Payment Be Due?
Mississippi workers’ compensation law also establishes when workers’ compensation payments are due. Under Mississippi law, workers’ compensation must be paid periodically and promptly. The first installment becomes due on the 14th day after the employer receives notice of the injury or death. At that time, compensation that is then due must be paid. Afterward, payments generally continue in installments every 14 days unless the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission determines that a different payment schedule should apply.
However, this does not necessarily mean that every injured worker will receive a check exactly 14 days after reporting an injury. For example, an employer may dispute, or “controvert,” the worker’s right to compensation. Mississippi law contains procedures for an employer to formally dispute liability for benefits.
What If Your Workers’ Compensation Check Is Late?
Waiting for workers’ compensation benefits can be especially stressful when an injury has already prevented you from earning your normal paycheck. Fortunately, Mississippi law addresses certain late workers’ compensation payments. For example, when an installment payable without an award is not paid within 14 days after it becomes due, the law provides for an additional 10 percent in certain circumstances. Exceptions can apply, including when the claim has been properly disputed.
The bottom line is that if you believe your workers’ compensation payments should have started but you have not received them, it is best to reach out to an experienced Jackson workers’ compensation lawyer.
Finding a Jackson Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Jackson workers who are unable to earn their normal wages after a workplace injury may depend on workers’ compensation benefits to help them through a difficult period. When payments are delayed, disputed, or unexpectedly stopped, understanding your rights is important.
The experienced Jackson workers’ compensation lawyers at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC fight for injured Jackson workers in workers’ compensation matters. If you were injured at work in Jackson and need legal help with your workers’ compensation claim, contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC today to discuss your case.
