If you have recently suffered an illness or injury while at work, you may be able to receive compensation for lost wages or medical bills by filing a workers' compensation claim. However, the claims process can be rather confusing and complex, and because of this, mistakes are often made, resulting in the claim either being denied or you failing to receive the full amount of compensation that you deserve.
You can avoid common mistakes by working with a professional attorney, increasing the chances of an approval. Keep reading to learn some of the mistakes that may damage your workers' compensation claim.
Not Reporting Your Injury
When you suffer any kind of injury on the job, it is important that you contact your employer and let them know about the injury immediately. This contact should not only be done orally but also in writing. This ensures your employer understands how serious the situation is. If you put off reporting the injury, there is an increased likelihood that you will have issues receiving benefits, and your employer may not believe that your injury is as severe as you say it is.
You have a certain timeframe to report your injury. This is usually between 10 and 90 days, depending on the state in which you live. If you fail to report your injury within this timeframe, you could lose your chance to pursue benefits through workers' compensation insurance. Then, once your employer is notified of the injury, you have a certain number of days to file your actual workers' comp claim. So, it is important that you are familiar with these time limits.
Not Obtaining Medical Treatment
Failing to either obtain medical treatment or following the orders of your physician for treatment could place you at risk of having your claim denied. The purpose of the benefits is to assist you in paying for your medical expenses and covering your lost wages while you can't work. If you fail to get medical treatment, it could cause some red flags, resulting in the board assuming that you aren't truly injured or that the injury is not very serious.
Not Keeping Good Records
It is absolutely imperative that you maintain detailed and accurate records when you suffer a workplace illness or injury. Make sure that you record any time that you miss from work as a result of your injury and any costs that you are out due to medical expenses. These types of records will help make sure that you receive the compensation that you deserve.
Not Hiring an Attorney
It is not required that you hire a lawyer to help pursue your workers' compensation benefits; however, you may want to. The process is rather complex, and with the help of an attorney, you can ensure that no missteps are taken while also ensuring that your rights are fully protected.
For more information on navigating the law surrounding workers' comp, contact a workers' compensation attorney in your area.
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