How to Verify If a Workers’ Compensation Claim Has Been Filed for Your Workplace Injury in Mississippi

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Detailed Answer

If you’ve been injured on the job in Mississippi, you need to know whether your employer or their insurance carrier has filed a workers’ compensation claim on your behalf. Under Mississippi law, an employer must report any workplace injury that results in medical treatment beyond first aid or time off work to the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission (MWCC). Here’s how to confirm that a claim has been filed:

1. Ask Your Employer or Supervisor: By law, employers must notify their workers’ compensation insurance carrier within five days of learning of a work-related injury (Miss. Code Ann. § 71-3-3). Start by requesting confirmation—verbal or written—that they’ve reported your injury.
2. Contact the Insurance Carrier: If you know your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer, call their claims department. Provide your name, date of injury, and employer name. Ask for the claim number and copy of the First Report of Injury.
3. Use the MWCC Online Portal: The MWCC maintains an online case status system. You can search by claimant name or claim number at the MWCC Case Status Search. This database shows whether a claim has been filed and its current status.
4. Review Your Medical Records and Correspondence: After filing, the insurance carrier often sends you a copy of the First Report of Injury and a notice of benefits. If you didn’t receive these, ask your treating doctor’s billing department if they submitted records to the insurer under a workers’ compensation claim number.
5. File a Request for Information with the MWCC: If your employer or insurer is unresponsive, you can petition the MWCC to compel them to confirm claim status. Under Miss. Code Ann. § 71-3-15, an injured worker may request a hearing to address claim filing issues.
6. Consult a Qualified Attorney: If you remain uncertain whether your claim has been filed or if your employer retaliates, seek an attorney licensed in Mississippi. They can request filings directly from MWCC and enforce your rights.

Helpful Hints

• Keep copies of all medical reports, emails, and letters about your injury.
• Note dates and names of anyone you speak with at your employer or the insurance carrier.
• Check the MWCC portal regularly—claims often update in real time.
• If you change doctors, confirm the new provider submits bills under your workers’ compensation file.
• Act promptly: Mississippi law requires you to file notice of injury within 30 days of the incident.