If you are injured on the job in Nevada, you are most likely covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. Filing a successful workers’ comp claim can result in benefits such as lost wages and a variety of medical benefits to treat your injury.

Medical benefits can include:

• Compensation for treatment
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
• Vocational Rehabilitation

PPD and PTD Compensation

PPD is determined by a “rating physician.” This physician must be a doctor who is on the Nevada rating panel through the Division of Industrial Relations (DIR). The physician determines if you have a ratable impairment even after you have received medical treatment.

A healthy, uninjured individual would receive a rating of 0%. People who are unable to work due to a work-related accident or illness, even after medical treatment, may qualify for PPD.

Workers who are classified as having a permanent total disability (PTD) can receive 66 2/3 of their average monthly wages for as long as they are unable to work. Under Nevada law, some PTD individuals may be classified for “odd-lot” status. This means that they may be able to hold various jobs from time to time, but this work is limited in quality/quantity.

Visit one of our previous posts for a more detailed explanation of ” Benefits Available Under Nevada Law.”

Workers’ Compensation Doctors

If you are injured or become ill on the job, you are limited in which physician you can go to. Nevada requires workers’ compensation patients to be treated by an authorized medical provider through the Panel of Treating Physicians and Chiropractors. Workers’ compensation insurance providers can use MCOs, PPOs, or HMOs.

Injured workers should not be afraid to visit the emergency room after a serious injury because they are unsure whether their physician is panel-approved. People seriously injured on the job can and should go to the emergency room immediately following the incident.

Who covers for Your Medical Bills?

Medical expenses for work-related injuries should be paid by the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. Generally, you will not have to pay out of pocket for medical bills related to your injury. The employer’s workers’ comp insurance provider is responsible for paying all necessary medical bills and treatment costs.

If you are unable to return to work due to your injury or illness, Nevada law states that you can receive compensation to cover the cost of medical bills. Your treating physician will make a determination as to what type of benefits you may be eligible for, including PPD and PTD benefits.

How to file a claim after receiving medical care?

Once you have received medical attention for your work-related injury or illness, the next step is to file a workers’ compensation claim. You must complete and submit a claim form to the insurance carrier that provides workers’ compensation benefits to your employer. The claim form can be found on the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations website or can be obtained directly from your employer.

When filing your claim , it is important to provide as much detail about the injury as possible. You should also include any medical records or bills that you have received related to the injury. Once your claim has been approved, you can begin receiving benefits such as reimbursement for lost wages and medical expenses.

How Shook & Stone Attorneys Can Help You?

If you were injured on the job, an attorney from Shook & Stone can assist you throughout the workers’ compensation claim process.
There are many benefits to retaining an attorney for workers’ compensation cases. To learn more about how we can help, contact us today!