How to File a Short Term Disability Claim

By now you have probably figured out that the Social Security programs pay benefits only for those claiming a total or a long term disability. No benefits will ever be afforded to applicants submitting a partial disability or a short term disability claim.  Now that you’ve figured out who does not cover you when you’re dealing with a short term disability let’s review the options that are available to a worker injured on-the-job.

Employer Provided Worker’s Compensation Insurance

Most States, with a few exceptions, require employers to carry workers compensation insurance for employees.  If a worker is injured at work workers compensation insurance is available, regardless of fault issues, to provide compensation for lost income due to lost time at work and for medical and rehabilitation services.  The medical compensation coverage functions almost like a health insurance plan in paying all medical care and treatment costs.  Workers Comp can also provide death benefits to a surviving spouse and children where the on-the-job accident caused a death.  Generally reporting the injury to the employer human resources department and following instructions for filing a short term disability claim is all that is needed to collect benefits.  However, a failure to file a claim for benefits within the required time period can result in disqualification and irreversible a loss of entitlement to benefits.  Generally pain and suffering and punitive damages for situations involving employer negligence in the workplace are not available.  There are similar but private disability insurance policies available for those whose employer is not required to provide coverage by the State and for those people who are independent contractors or self employed.

 FMLA or the Family Medical Leave Act

If a worker is dealing with a serious medical health condition he may seek leave from his job and possibly be entitled to benefits under the Family Medical Leave Act.  The act will afford a worker the time he needs to handle the health condition and regain his health without losing his job to other in this competitive job market and may entitle him to receive benefits during his incapacity time.

Get Legal Help

If you or a member of your family was injured on-the-job and needing to file a short term disability claim with an employer it may be helpful to discuss the circumstances of the injury with a disability lawyer to access some valuable guidance on how to get the most comprehensive insurance benefits to cover the medical costs and the financial loss due to time out of work and lost wages caused by the at-work injury.