What to expect with your workers’ compensation claim
Updated Oct. 10, 2025
If you’ve been injured at work, here’s a quick guide to help you understand what comes next. This is a general overview — your specific situation may vary.
1. Reporting your injury
- Tell your employer right away. The sooner you report it, the smoother the process will be.
- Provide details in writing if asked. This creates a record of your injury.
- You may be directed to speak with a Sedgwick nurse to review your injury and treatment plan with an approved doctor for your first visit.
- Keep copies of all doctor notes, restrictions, and bills. Ensure Sedgwick’s mailing information is given to your provider and the provider’s billing department.
- Share any work restrictions with your employer as soon as you get them.
- Once care has been established, provider changes need to be approved by the claim manager. Changing providers without notifying your claim manager and receiving approval may result in unpaid days.
- Medical appointments are only paid when it is unreasonable to schedule them outside of working hours. Be mindful of when you schedule appointments to ensure you receive full payments!
- Payments usually start after a short waiting period (often a week, depending on jurisdiction).
- If your claim is approved, you’ll typically receive about two-thirds of your average weekly wage (subject to limits, dependent on jurisdiction).
- Payments are usually sent every week or two.
- You will not receive pay for overtime or bonuses while on workers’ comp.
- Create a login for mysedgwick.com to see claim wage replacement payments, set up direct deposit, upload work status, or speak directly with your Sedgwick claims examiner.
- With your employer:
- You are required to return your employer's phone calls within 24 hours if off work.
- Provide updated doctor notes to your manager within 24 hours of receipt.
- Notify your manager when you are cleared for light duty or to return to work.
- With your Sedgwick claims examiner:
- Return their calls within 24 hours.
- Contact them if payments are late, you move, or you have questions about medical bills and benefits.
- Tell them if your doctor changes your work status.
- Always notify your doctor that your employer will accommodate any restrictions even if that means temporarily placing you in a different role.
- If your doctor clears you for light duty, your employer may offer modified work within your restrictions.
- Always follow your doctor’s restrictions — don’t risk re-injury.
- Once you are released to full duty, your workers’ comp wage replacement benefits will stop.
- If you don’t receive payments when expected.
- If medical bills are not being covered.
- If you are unsure about paperwork or next steps.