At Hurt 911® Colorado, we help injured workers get fast, professional medical care after a workplace injury. Our team of experienced workers’ compensation doctors knows how to treat serious injuries and provide the right documentation for your claim. We have clinics across Colorado and offer tele-health appointments if you can’t make it to a location. We’re here to make sure you get proper care and support through every step of your recovery.
Getting hurt at work can be stressful and confusing, but knowing what steps to take can protect your health and your rights. In Colorado, workers’ compensation covers medical treatment and lost wages for injured workers, but you must follow specific rules to get these benefits. At Hurt 911® Colorado, our experienced workers’ compensation doctors help injured workers from companies like Amazon, FedEx, USPS, and others get proper care fast. Whether you visit one of our clinics or use tele-health, we guide you through the process from injury to recovery.
In this blog, we explain how to file a workers’ compensation claim in Colorado, what steps to take after a work injury, and how seeing a Denver workers’ compensation doctor at Hurt 911® Colorado can help you get proper medical care and protect your claim.
Report Your Work-Related Injury Immediately
Reporting a work-related injury is the first step to get medical treatment and start your workers’ compensation claim in Colorado. Acting fast protects your right to care and benefits.
Why You Must Report Your Injury
Colorado law requires you to report your injury in writing within four days. This notice protects your right to see a workers’ compensation doctor and begin treatment. Even if you think the injury is minor, report it. Some injuries get worse over time, and early reporting supports your case.
How to Report and Deadlines
Give your employer a written notice with the date, time, how the injury happened, and the body part injured. You can send this by email, letter, or text, which you should keep a copy of for your records.
- You have 4 days to report the injury.
- Your employer has 10 days to report it to their insurance carrier.
Next Steps After Reporting
Your employer should give you a designated provider list of approved workers’ compensation doctors. If they don’t give you a list within seven business days, you may choose your own doctor like Hurt 911® Colorado.
Why Fast Reporting Matters
Quick reporting helps get an authorized treating physician (ATP) assigned to manage your treatment plan and decide when you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). It also helps with work restrictions and claim-related documents.
Understand Your Employer’s Role & The Insurance Process
After you report a work-related injury, your employer and their workers’ compensation insurance carrier take specific steps that affect your medical care and benefits. Knowing this process helps you stay in control of your workers’ compensation claim.
Your Employer Must File a Report of Injury
Once you give written notice of your injury, your employer has ten days to file a First Report of Injury with their insurance carrier. This report officially starts your workers’ compensation process. If your employer does not file this report, your claim can be delayed or denied.
The Insurance Carrier Assigns an Adjuster
The insurance carrier will assign an insurance adjuster to your claim. The adjuster is responsible for approving medical treatment, tracking your recovery, and handling payments for missed work if you qualify. Adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you, so it’s important to stay informed and keep records of all communication.
Choosing the Right Workers’ Compensation Doctor
The workers’ compensation doctor you see will control your medical care, work restrictions, and when you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). Choosing the right workers’ compensation doctor is critical to protect your health and your workers’ compensation claim.
How Your Employer Chooses Doctors
In Colorado, your employer must give you a designated provider list within seven business days after you report your injury. This is a written list of approved workers compensation doctors. You must pick a doctor from this list to start treatment. If your employer fails to provide this list, you may choose your own doctor, like the physicians at Hurt 911® Colorado.
Why the Right Doctor Matters
The doctor you choose will be your authorized treating physician (ATP). This doctor decides your treatment plan, monitors your recovery, and gives updates to the insurance carrier and insurance adjuster. The ATP will also decide when you reach MMI and whether you have a permanent impairment rating. These decisions affect how long you receive medical care and any final benefits.
When You Can Get a Second Opinion
If you disagree with your doctor’s decisions, you may ask for a second opinion. In some cases, you can request a Division Independent Medical Examination (DIME) to challenge the impairment rating or MMI decision. At Hurt 911® Colorado, our workers’ compensation doctors can give second opinions and help injured workers understand their medical options.
Doctors for Workers Across Colorado
Hurt 911® Colorado serves injured workers across the state, including employees of Amazon, FedEx, USPS, and other national companies. If you are far from a clinic, we offer tele-health appointments to make sure you get proper care from a proper workers’ compensation doctor.
Keeping Records and Managing Claim Documents
Managing your workers’ compensation claim means keeping good records of all medical treatment, work status, and communication with the insurance carrier and employer. These documents protect your rights and help ensure you get proper care and benefits.
Why Keeping Records Is Important
Every injured worker should keep copies of all claim-related documents. This includes medical reports from your workers’ compensation doctor, treatment plans, work restrictions, letters from the insurance adjuster, and any paperwork from your employer. These records show what treatment you need and what decisions have been made about your claim.
Types of Documents to Keep
Save everything related to your injury, including:
- Doctor’s notes and medical condition updates.
- Work restrictions and return-to-work forms.
- Bills and receipts for medical care.
- Letters and emails with your insurance carrier or employer.
- Appointment records and referrals for tests or specialists.
Communicating with the Insurance Adjuster and Employer
Be clear and professional when speaking with your insurance adjuster and employer. Always confirm important conversations in writing, such as by email. If treatment is delayed or denied, written proof helps you challenge those decisions and request a second opinion or Division Independent Medical Examination (DIME).
Filing Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
After you report your work-related injury and start medical treatment, the next step is to officially file your workers’ compensation claim with the state of Colorado. This ensures that your injury is on record and that you are eligible for benefits, including ongoing care from a workers’ compensation doctor.
When to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
If your employer does not file the claim or delays it, you can and should file the claim yourself. You may also need to file your own claim if there are disagreements about your injury, treatment, or if your insurance carrier denies care.
How to File a Claim in Colorado
To file your claim, complete the Workers’ Claim for Compensation form (WC 15). You can get this form from the Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation website or by calling their office. After filling out the form, submit it:
- Online, using the Division’s electronic filing system.
- By mail to the Division of Workers’ Compensation.
- By fax, if allowed by the Division.
How Hurt 911® Colorado Supports Injured Workers Throughout the Process
Getting proper medical care after a work-related injury is critical. Hurt 911® Colorado helps injured workers through every step of the workers’ compensation process, from the first visit to reaching Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI).
Workers’ Compensation Doctors Focused on Injury Care
Our experienced workers’ compensation doctors understand Colorado’s system. We provide thorough evaluations, accurate treatment plans, and clear medical condition reports. Our doctors act as authorized treating physicians (ATP) to manage care and decide when you are ready to return to work.
Clinics and Tele-Health Across Colorado
We serve injured workers throughout Colorado, including employees of Amazon, FedEx, USPS, UPS, and other national companies. If you are not close to one of our clinics, telehealth appointments are available. This ensures every injured worker can get proper care, regardless of location.
Medical Documentation for Insurance and Employers
We provide all claim-related documents, including treatment plans, work restrictions, and updates for your insurance adjuster and employer. Our team ensures documents are complete and submitted on time to avoid delays in care or benefits.
Support Through MMI and Impairment Ratings
Our workers’ compensation doctors guide you until you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). If needed, we help with impairment ratings and prepare proper documentation. We also assist if you need a second opinion or a Division Independent Medical Examination (DIME).
Help for Injured Workers from Large Companies
We work with employees from large employers like Amazon, FedEx, and USPS. We know the specific needs and challenges that come with these jobs and injuries. Whether you need a clinic visit or tele-health, Hurt 911® Colorado is ready to help.
Seek Treatment For Your Work Injuries With Hurt 911® Colorado!
If you’ve been injured on the job, our team at Hurt 911® Colorado is here to help you through every step of the process. Whether you need an in-person appointment at one of our Colorado clinics or a tele-health visit from anywhere in the state, our experienced workers’ compensation doctors are ready to provide the care and documentation you need.
Contact us at 720-414-0000 to schedule an appointment with us today!
