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Ten Tips to protect yourself if you suffer a job-related injury or illness.

1.Report your work-related injury or illness, regardless of the nature orseverity, to your supervisor immediately. Request an "Employee's Claimfor Workers' Compensation Benefits" form from your supervisor.

2. Fill out the"Employee" section of the claim form accurately and return it to yoursupervisor immediately to avoid a delay in benefits. Be sure toindicate all the parts of your body you feel may be affected or hurt bythe work-related injury or illness.

3. Keep a copy ofthe completed claim form as your receipt. Request that your employerreturn the claim form to you with the "Employer" section filled out.According to the law, your employer has 24 hours to return thecompleted form to you.

4. Advise your supervisor immediately if you need medical care. If you have filed a Personal Physician Pre-Designation formwith your employer before the work-related injury or illness occurred,see your own designated treating doctor as soon as possible. If you didnot file a Personal Physician Designation form, request that youremployer send you to a treating doctor as soon as possible. Treatmentmust be provided within 24 hours of filing the claim.

5. Accuratelydescribe in detail to the treating doctor how your work-related injuryor illness occurred. Tell the doctor about all the parts of your bodythat have been affected or hurt by the work-related injury or illness.

6. Attend allmedical appointments. Keep copies of all medical slips and notes - suchas notes excusing you from work - given to you by the treating doctor.

7. Keep copies ofall documents received from your employer or the insurance carrierregarding your work-related illness or injury. Keep accurate records ofthe following:

• Days off work.
• Dates of all medical treatment.
• All round-trip mileage incurred for the medical treatment.
• Receipts for all out-of-pocket medical and prescription costs.

8.Write down all facts about any injury or illness you suffer at work.You may have a civil action in addition to your Workers' Compensationclaim.

9. Review thefacts of any work-related injury or illness as soon as possible with anattorney who specializes in Workers' Compensation law. New laws haveshortened many deadlines, and early missteps can seriously affect yourrights.

10. Do not abusethe Workers' Compensation system. Injuries or illnesses that are notwork-related should not be reported. All statements and facts that youprovide must be accurate and true. Filing a false or fraudulentWorkers' Compensation claim is a felony under California law.

BONUS TIP: Beware - Under the new law, do not pick a doctor from a State Panel without first consulting an attorney!