3 Tips For Avoiding Common Workers Compensation Pitfalls
Posted on: 26 June 2017
Each day, close to 13,000 Americans are injured at their workplace, according to the National Safety Council. Ideally, the best measure is to take precautions and put safety plans in place to prevent workplace accidents from occurring. However, injuries can still happen, even when your company has a solid safety protocol. In the unexpected event that you find yourself injured on the job, it's crucial that you know how to proceed in order to file a successful workers compensation claim. Here are three tips to help you steer clear of common work injury pitfalls.
Provide Timely Notice
A major hurdle in a workplace injury claim occurs when you fail to notify your employer of the injury in a timely manner. When you become injured, you may hold off on notifying your employer, thinking that the injury isn't severe enough to warrant it, only to find later that you're very injured and unable to perform your job. That's why it's vital that you report any and all workplace injuries, even if you think they're minor, to your employer immediately. Otherwise you jeopardize your workers compensation claim. Most states have laws that require you to report workplace injuries within a certain amount of time, typically five days. That's not a lot of time, so don't wait.
Speak With An Attorney First
Unfortunately, when you experience a workplace accident, you'll likely find yourself inundated with phone calls from claims adjusters and agents that represent your company's insurer. Speaking with the claims adjuster, or any representative, before being advised of your rights greatly jeopardizes your workers compensation claim. After reporting the accident to your employer, contact a workplace injury lawyer who will educate you on your rights and help you navigate the often complicated process of filing a successful workers injury claim.
Listen to Your Doctor
After you explain your injury to your doctor and your physician has examined you, you'll receive a treatment plan. It's imperative that you follow your doctor's treatment plan exactly. For example, if you injure your back and your job involves lifting 30 pounds, or more, your treatment plan may involve no heavy lifting for several weeks. Or, your doctor may advise you to stay home from work while you recover. It's necessary to follow your doctors orders. Let's say you don't have enough sick time saved up and don't want to miss a week of work without pay, so you return to work early, thinking you can just push through. Unfortunately, in doing so, your workers comp claim may get denied, or you may not receive the just amount of compensation, as your injury may be deemed not as serious as it actually is.
Talk with an attorney like Gerald Lutkenhaus today for more information.
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