Johnson Tabor & Johnson LawAttorneys at Law • Omaha, Nebraska
2026 Edition
Free Resource Guide
Nebraska Workers' Compensation Toolkit
Everything you need to protect your rights, navigate the claims process, and get the benefits you deserve — plus printable forms, checklists, and tracking logs you can start using today.
Johnson Tabor & Johnson Law, LLC 11932 Arbor Street, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68144 website@JohnsonTabor.com • johnsontabor.com
(402) 506-4444
Inside This Toolkit
This toolkit is divided into two parts: a reference guide and printable forms you can use to organize your claim.
Part One: Your Reference Guide
01
What to Do After a Workplace Injury
7 critical steps to protect your health and your claim
02
Know Your Benefits
Nebraska workers' comp benefits in plain language
03
Key Deadlines & Forms
Critical dates and filing windows
04
Why Claims Get Denied & How to Fight Back
Common denial tactics and what your attorney can do
05
Checklist, When to Call & About the Firm
Evidence checklist, warning signs, and why our background matters
Part Two: Printable Forms & Logs
A
My Claim Information Card
All your claim numbers, contacts, and key dates in one place
B
Mileage Reimbursement Log
Track every trip — this is reimbursable money
C
Medical Appointment Tracker
Date, provider, treatment, restrictions — your evidence record
D
Missed Work & Lost Wages Log
Track every missed shift and lost hour
E
Out-of-Pocket Expense Tracker
Prescriptions, co-pays, supplies, and other recoverable costs
F
Insurance Adjuster Communication Log
Record every call and contact with the insurance company
G
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Take this to every appointment
A Note from Our Firm: This toolkit was created by attorneys who spent decades defending insurance companies. We know every tactic they use. Now we use that knowledge to fight for you.
Nebraska Workers' Compensation ToolkitJohnson Tabor & Johnson Law • (402) 506-4444
Section 01
What to Do After a Workplace Injury
What you do in the hours and days after your injury directly affects your claim. Follow these seven steps.
1
Get Medical Attention Immediately
Call 911 for emergencies or seek treatment the same day. Tell your doctor the injury is work-related. Describe every symptom — even minor ones.
2
Report the Injury to Your Employer
Nebraska requires reporting "as soon as practicable." Report the same day in writing (email or text). Include date, time, location, what happened.
3
Complete the Form 50 — Choice of Doctor
Your employer must provide this form. You can choose your own doctor if they maintain your prior medical records. If you don't choose, your employer picks.
4
Document Everything
Photos of the scene and injuries. Witness names. Written description. Medical visit log. All bills and records. Mileage to appointments (reimbursable).
5
Follow Your Doctor's Orders Exactly
Attend every appointment. Follow work restrictions. Insurance companies look for evidence you're not following treatment. Be cautious with social media.
6
Do NOT Give a Recorded Statement
The adjuster's job is to minimize your claim. You are not required to give a recorded statement. Say: "I'd like to speak with an attorney first."
7
Contact a Workers' Compensation Attorney
The earlier you involve an attorney, the stronger your position. At Johnson Tabor & Johnson, consultation is free and there is no fee unless we win.
⚠ Warning: Never accept a quick settlement offer without consulting an attorney. Early offers are almost always far below the true value of your claim.
Nebraska Workers' Compensation ToolkitJohnson Tabor & Johnson Law • (402) 506-4444
Section 02
Know Your Benefits
Nebraska Workers' Compensation Law entitles injured workers to the following benefits.
Wage replacement while completely unable to work. Typically ⅔ of average weekly wage. Begins after 7-day wait.
◉ Temporary Partial Disability
Wage replacement if you return in reduced capacity. Covers the difference between pre- and post-injury earnings.
◉ Permanent Partial Disability
Compensation for lasting impairments. Schedule for specific body parts; loss-of-earning-capacity for body-as-a-whole.
◉ Permanent Total Disability
Ongoing benefits if permanently unable to return to any gainful employment.
◉ Vocational Rehabilitation
Job retraining and placement if you can't return to your previous job. Must be requested.
◉ Mileage Reimbursement
Compensation for travel to/from medical appointments. Use Form B in this toolkit to track every trip.
◉ Death Benefits
Surviving spouses and dependents may receive wage replacement and funeral expenses.
7-Day Waiting Period: Wage benefits begin on day 8. If disability lasts 6+ weeks, the first 7 days are paid retroactively.
Third-Party Claims: Beyond Workers' Comp
If a third party — negligent contractor, defective equipment manufacturer, reckless driver — contributed to your injury, you may file a personal injury lawsuit in addition to workers' comp. This can provide pain and suffering, full lost wages, and emotional distress. We evaluate every case for third-party liability.
Nebraska Workers' Compensation ToolkitJohnson Tabor & Johnson Law • (402) 506-4444
Section 03
Key Deadlines & Forms
Action
Deadline
Details
Report injury to employer
"As soon as practicable"
No fixed deadline but delays can result in denial. Report same day.
Employer files First Report
Within 10 days
Filed with NE Workers' Compensation Court after notice.
Insurer investigates & pays
Within 30 days
30 days from notice to investigate and begin benefits.
File formal claim (petition)
2 years from injury
Filed with NE Workers' Comp Court if disputed or denied.
Appeal court decision
30 days
To NE Court of Appeals. Strict — cannot be extended.
Third-party lawsuit
4 years from injury
Separate statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
Key Form — Form 50 (Choice of Doctor): Your employer must provide this at the time of injury. It protects your right to choose your own treating physician.
Section 04
Why Claims Get Denied
Insurance companies deny valid claims every day. Here are the most common reasons — and how an attorney fights back.
✕
Disputed Causation
They argue injury wasn't caused by work. We fight it with medical evidence and physician testimony.
✕
Preexisting Conditions
They say it's preexisting. We fight it — Nebraska law covers injuries that aggravated or combined with preexisting conditions.
✕
Biased IME
Their doctor says you're fine. We fight it by challenging IME findings and presenting counter-evidence.
✕
Delayed Reporting / Missed Deadlines
They say you waited too long. We fight it by establishing circumstances and proving reporting occurred.
✕
Injury Outside Scope of Employment
They claim you weren't "on the job." We fight it under Nebraska's "arising out of and in the course of employment" standard.
Nebraska Workers' Compensation ToolkitJohnson Tabor & Johnson Law • (402) 506-4444
Section 05
Documentation Checklist
Immediately After Injury
Photos of scene & unsafe conditions
Photos of visible injuries
Witness names & contact info
Written account of what happened
Copy of report to employer
Completed Form 50
Ongoing Documentation
Medical appointment log (Form C)
Medical records & bills
Prescription records
Time missed from work (Form D)
Work restrictions log
Mileage to appointments (Form B)
Insurance correspondence (Form F)
Out-of-pocket expenses (Form E)
When to Contact an Attorney
⚠ Claim denied or disputed
⚠ Being sent to an IME
⚠ Benefits cut off or reduced
⚠ Preexisting condition used against you
⚠ Employer retaliating
⚠ Third party may be liable
⚠ Offered a settlement
⚠ Injury is serious or permanent
About Johnson Tabor & Johnson
Our senior partner spent over 40 years defending insurance carriers. He knows how they evaluate claims, what tactics they use, and how to beat them. We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.
40+
Years Combined Experience
3
Experienced Partners
NE & IA
States We Serve
$0
Upfront Cost to You
TJ
Thomas E. Johnson — Senior Partner
40+ years trial experience. Former insurance defense counsel. Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers.
AT
Adam C. Tabor — Partner
Workers' compensation specialist. Licensed in Nebraska & Iowa. Creighton Law graduate.
AJ
Adam P. Johnson — Partner
Personal injury, construction accidents, property & casualty. Creighton Law, cum laude.
Nebraska Workers' Compensation ToolkitJohnson Tabor & Johnson Law • (402) 506-4444
◆ Form A: My Claim Information Card
Johnson Tabor & Johnson • (402) 506-4444
Keep this page in a safe place. Fill in each field as you receive the information. Having all your claim details in one location saves time and helps your attorney.
Injured Worker
Injury Details
Employer Information
Workers' Comp Insurance
Medical Information
Attorney Information
Form A: My Claim Information Cardjohnsontabor.com • (402) 506-4444
◆ Form B: Mileage Reimbursement Log
Johnson Tabor & Johnson • (402) 506-4444
Nebraska workers' comp law entitles you to mileage reimbursement for travel to medical appointments. Complete this log after every trip. Present it to your attorney or adjuster when requesting reimbursement.
Common reimbursable expenses: Prescription co-pays • OTC meds recommended by doctor • Medical supplies (braces, bandages) • Parking fees at medical facilities • Home medical equipment • Childcare during appointments
Form E: Out-of-Pocket Expense Trackerjohnsontabor.com • (402) 506-4444
◆ Form F: Insurance Adjuster Communication Log
Johnson Tabor & Johnson • (402) 506-4444
Record every phone call, email, letter, or contact with the insurance adjuster. This protects you if they misrepresent what was discussed. You are not required to give a recorded statement.
⚠ Important: If the adjuster asks for a recorded statement, say: "I'd like to speak with my attorney before providing any statements." This is your right and does not hurt your claim.
Form F: Insurance Adjuster Communication Logjohnsontabor.com • (402) 506-4444
◆ Form G: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Johnson Tabor & Johnson • (402) 506-4444
Bring this to every medical appointment. These questions ensure your doctor documents the information needed to support your claim. Check each off as you discuss it.
Is this injury/condition related to my work?Ask the doctor to clearly state in the record whether the injury arose from your employment. This is the single most important question.
What is the specific diagnosis?Get the full medical name. Vague descriptions weaken claims.
What treatment do you recommend?Surgery, PT, medication, injections, imaging — make sure it's all documented in writing.
What are my work restrictions?No lifting over ___ lbs? No standing more than ___ hours? Get specific, written restrictions.
Can I return to work? In what capacity?Full duty, light duty, no work? This directly affects your wage replacement benefits.
Did my work duties aggravate a preexisting condition?Especially important if you have a prior condition. Ask the doctor to document whether work made it worse.
What is my prognosis?Full recovery? Expected timeline? Permanent limitations?
Is everything documented in the medical record?Confirm symptoms, diagnosis, treatment plan, work restrictions, and work-relatedness are all in the chart.
When is my next appointment?Never leave without scheduling follow-up. Gaps in treatment weaken your claim.