The Application & Hearing Process

The Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) benefits application process is as follows:

• If the insurer has denied your initial claim and/or is not providing you all of the benefits to which you are entitled, an Employee's Claim Form should be filed with the DIA.
• Once this form is filed, a meeting will be scheduled between you (the attorney will appear on your behalf), the insurer, and a conciliator from the DIA. This meeting will usually take place 10-14 days after filing your claim.
• If not all parties can come to an agreement at the conciliation, the case is referred to a judge to schedule a conference.

Protecting Our Clients Throughout The Workers' Compensation Process

About The Conference

The conference is an informal proceeding before an administrative judge. As your workers' compensation counsel, Percy Law Group, PC will present your case, including your background, work history, details describing your injury, and your medical treatment to date and continuing. We will submit all medical records that evidence your injury and treatment.

In most circumstances, you, the employee, are required to be present at the conference. We often submit detailed written affidavits proving your case, but during this proceeding, no testimony is heard. We stay focused on proving you are disabled, that the disability is work-related, and that all your treatments have been reasonable and necessary. The judge will issue an order as a result of the conference and mail that order to all parties typically within seven days of the conference.

Appealing A Conference Order

We can appeal a conference order within 14 days of its issuance, if needed. The appeal fee is $450.00. If there is a medical issue in dispute, the judge will appoint an impartial physician to evaluate your submitted medical records. Thereafter, we will receive formal notification of when and where to meet with this physician. This doctor's appointment is not negotiable; you must attend. After the impartial physician issues a report to the judge, the judge will then schedule your case for hearing.

Workers’ Compensation Hearing

The hearing is a formal proceeding held before the same judge who presided over the conference. We handle all matters needed to prepare for this hearing, including preparing you and witnesses who will testify on your behalf. We will also cross-examine employer's witnesses. After the hearing concludes, the judge will issue a final decision regarding awarded benefits.

Workers’ Comp Appeal

The judge's decision after the hearing can be appealed, but only if the judge made an error of law in issuing his or her decision or during the hearing. The appeal must be received within 30 days of the hearing decision. If your case goes this far, we will be sure to fully inform you of what to expect throughout the workers' compensation appeals process.

Have more questions about what to expect? Want to talk to an attorney about the process? Call Percy Law Group, PC at (508) 206-9900 to request your free case evaluation. We are here to help protect your legal rights!