An on-the-job injury can leave you facing extensive physical pain and financial losses that can rock your stability. While that can be stressful to deal with as you try to focus on your recovery, you could find relief through the workers’ compensation system. If you succeed in filing one of these claims, then you can recover the financial resources you need to cover at least some of your medical expenses and lost wages, providing the support necessary to allow you to focus on your recovery.
That sounds easy enough, but the workers’ compensation process contains a lot of nuances. If you make mistakes as you navigate your claim, then you could be denied the resources that you need. That’s why in this post we want to focus on some of those errors so that you know what you need to avoid moving forward.
Mistakes to avoid when seeking workers’ compensation benefits
Even though a workers’ compensation claim may seem straightforward, it can actually be quite complicated. The following mistakes can make the process even more challenging, threatening you with claim denial:
- Not reporting your injury on time: There are strict timelines in place for reporting your injury to your employer. If you miss the deadline, then you could be denied benefits. Delaying the reporting of your injury can also give the impression that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim them to be.
- Not seeking out proper medical care: If you’ve suffered a workplace injury, seek medical care immediately. Also be sure to follow your doctor’s recommendations. Failing to do so will make it difficult to show your need for ongoing medical care, and it might even be challenging to show that your injury is so severe as to prevent you from working.
- Not documenting the accident: As you move forward with your workers’ compensation claim, you’re going to be asked to recount to the details of the accident that left you injured. If your memory is a little blurry, then your claim may be jeopardized, as your employer may try to argue that your responsible for your injuries because you engaged in horseplay. To avoid this from happening, write down the details of your workplace accident shortly after the event so that you can easily refresh your recollection if you need to.
- Lying about your injuries: You’re probably going to be subjected to multiple medical examinations after being injured on the job. When you meet with medical professionals, be honest about your injuries and the limitations they’ve forced upon you. Don’t exaggerate or downplay their severity. Doing so could put you at risk of recovering less than you deserve or being denied benefits outright.
- Settling your claim too quickly: To avoid prolonged litigation, your employer’s insurance company may offer to settle your claim. However, quicky jumping on a settlement offer could deny you the financial resources that you would otherwise obtain. Make sure you thoroughly analyze a settlement offer, then, before acting on it.
Don’t be your own worst enemy in your workers’ compensation case
There’s a lot of work to be done in a workers’ compensation case. You don’t want to derail your legal position by making costly and avoidable mistakes. That’s why it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the workers’ compensation process, as doing so can help you see what you should and shouldn’t do to build up the aggressive case that you need.
We know that you’re dealing with a lot as you try to recover from your workplace injuries. Just know that the workers’ compensation process exists to help you, and although it can seem stressful, you can and will get through your claim.