What marks the beginning of treatment in a workers' compensation claim?

The beginning of treatment in a workers' compensation claim is signified by the start of treatment. This implies that medical intervention has commenced, which is crucial in establishing the timeline for the claim. Treatment initiation is essential because it directly relates to the employee's recovery process and the documentation of the injury, which will be evaluated throughout the claims process.

While scheduling the first medical appointment and notifying the insurer or the employer are important steps in the claims process, they do not by themselves constitute the commencement of treatment. Actual treatment is what initiates the medical management of the injury, and therefore, it is the most definitive event marking the beginning of the treatment phase in the context of workers' compensation claims.