The Idaho workers compensation laws have been explained in the Title 72 of the state legislature. Such occupational injury compensation claims are handled by Idaho Industrial Commission. The main task of the Commission is to help both the employers and the employees in the dealing with the process of claims. The commission also educates them about their legal rights that the state laws have provided to them in this regard. In general, if an employee or a worker gets injured while at job or suffers from an illness caused by the hazardous factors present at the workplace, they are entitled to monetary compensation not just to meet the resulting medical expenses but also to cover any resulting wage loss, such as because of the disability caused by the occupational illness or injuries. Following is a brief rundown on some of the important points of the laws that you must be well aware of.
Filing Claims
As per the Idaho workers compensation laws, whenever an employer is notified about the injuries or illnesses taking place at the site of the job, it becomes legally mandatory for them to report those on-the-job incidents to the Idaho Industrial Commission. In general, the employer can simply visit the official website of the Commission and fill out an online form (“First Report of Injury or Illness Form”). In the case the employer does not submit the report, the injured employee may be allowed to do the same.
Choice Of Doctor
The laws have provided the right to the employers to make the initial selection of the doctor. However, if the injured worker is not satisfied with the treatment of that physician, he or she has the right to file an appeal in the state agency. If the state agency approves, the physician might be changed.
Waiting Period
As per the Idaho workers compensation laws, there is a 5-day waiting period before the injured employee can claim for compensation. It means if the worker does not recover from the illness or injuries within five days from the date of the accident, he or she must get temporary monetary compensation from the employer.
Retroactive Compensation
The laws also state that if the disability continues for two weeks after the date of the injury, the occupational injury compensation is retroactive.
Idaho workers compensation laws have also imposed certain restrictions on the lawyers regarding the fees they charge for handling these types of cases. As per the state laws, the permitted fees for Idaho workers compensation lawyers can be up to 30% litigated and 25% non-litigated.