If you have fallen prey to an illness or an injury at work, you may qualify for assistance under the guidelines set forth by your state's workers' compensation policy. In the immediate aftermath of an injury or illness, notify your supervisor of the incident and seek medical care if necessary. After your situation has stabilized, your employer will probably ask you to complete some paperwork describing the incident that led up your injury or illness. In addition, you may be required by state law to submit a written notification of an on-the-job injury within 30 days of the incident. Next, your case will be processed through several levels of evaluation, with both the insurance company and the state's workers' compensation board likely to weigh in on the validity of your claim. If your workers' compensation claim is denied or rejected, you are granted the right to an appeal in most situations. If your claim is particularly complex or involved, it may be advantageous to contract the services of an experienced workers' compensation attorney.