re: Is workers comp difficult to deal with?

Every state is different and I’m not overly familiar with your state. However, if the employer already reported the injury to the wc insurance company, they are not trying to hide or minimize anything. The insurance company is required to report the injury to the state, in most jurisdictions. Your wife claim is fine and there is no immediate reason to worry. She needs to talk to her adjuster if she has any questions. Skip HR outside of just keeping them in the loop. Employer HR has no power and is generally useless.

Most states have a mandatory waiting period before wc picks up indemnity payments (TTD) after someone has been placed off work by a physician and the employer is unable to accommodate restrictions. Usually something like no pay for first 7 days unless you miss over 14 days. The WC insurance company will not issue any indemnity payments until after 2 weeks.

In most jurisdictions, the employer may elect to continue salary in lieu of potential TTD payments from the insurance company. This has no impact on your wife’s claim.

No need for an attorney unless she reaches MMI and has a permanent impairment, at which you may want one if you disagree with what has been assessed.

There are strict laws about how wc insurance companies handle claims and most companies do not mess around and operate in bad faith. Plaintiff attorneys are more likely to take your money for nothing versus an overworked and underpaid adjuster.