Workers’ compensation benefits are designed to help employees cover their medical treatments, lost wages, and other expenses when they sustain injuries in the workplace. Whether the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence or was a complete accident, you are entitled to make the claim. However, you must avoid the following mistakes while filing a work injury claim.
Not Seeking Immediate Medical Attention
No matter how minor your injuries are, it is important that you get immediate medical attention. If you delay the treatment or avoid seeing a medical professional, it can cast doubt on the seriousness of your injury or illness. Also, when you seek medical attention, you get to document the condition and establish its connection to your work, helping your case. If you hire a workplace accident attorney, they will also advise you to get medical attention immediately.
Failing to Report the Injury to Your Employer on Time
Reporting a work-related injury to your employer in a timely manner is essential to protecting your right to workers’ compensation benefits. In California, you have only 30 days to report your workplace injury to your employer. Delayed reporting can lead to delayed benefits or no benefits at all. Also, notifying your employer of the injury as soon as possible allows you to avoid any dispute regarding the cause or timeline of the injury.
Lack of Necessary Documentation
Insufficient documentation can significantly impact your workplace injury claim. To strengthen your claim, you need to provide accurate and detailed information about the incident. These crucial details include the date, time, location, witnesses, and an elaborate description of how the injury occurred. You also need to present all relevant medical records, bills, and any communication regarding your claim. At the same time, you need to make sure that the details you provide are complete, truthful, and accurate. Excluding crucial information or exaggerating certain facts can undermine the credibility of your claim.
Not Adhering to Deadlines
When it comes to workplace injury claims in California, there are specific time limits for steps like reporting injuries and filing claims. If you miss these important deadlines, it can jeopardize your claim process. You can either learn about these deadlines yourself and adhere to them or hire a workplace injury lawyer who can help you perform all these crucial steps within the deadlines to preserve your rights.
Returning to the Workplace Too Soon
Do not return to work until you have fully recovered from your injury. Doing so can have serious consequences on both your health and your workers’ compensation claim. During your recovery phase, it is important that you prioritize your health and follow all advice from your physician. Also, take adequate time to heal from the injury. Returning to the job too soon can prolong your recovery. It can also jeopardize your chance of maximizing your benefits.
Not Sharing Work-Related Details with Your Healthcare Provider
For accurate documentation of your injury, you must inform your healthcare provider that the injury or illness is work-related. Without the complete picture, the medical practitioner won’t be able to diagnose the injury or illness properly. Also, they need all the necessary information to document the injury or illness more accurately. Make sure you mention the nature of your work and how it led to the injury during your medical appointments. This will help the expert establish the connection between your job and the injury or condition.
Failing to Appeal When Appropriate
In some cases, workers’ compensation claims get rejected. If your claim is also denied, you should consider appealing the decision. It is within your right to do so. In fact, many valid claims are initially denied, but most of them are successfully resolved through the appeal process. If you do not appeal when you have a legitimate case, you will end up losing the benefits you deserve.
Conclusion
When you sustain an injury at work or develop a certain health condition due to the nature of your job, you deserve to claim compensation for the same. Avoiding the aforementioned mistakes when filing a work injury claim can increase your chances of securing the benefits. However, it is important that you consult with a trusted attorney who can guide you through the process.
