When you file a workers’ compensation claim, you want to do all you can to get the full amount you are entitled to and get it promptly. Making mistakes along the way could harm either or both of those goals.
Here are some errors you need to avoid:
Delaying things
If you delay seeking a medical check-up, it becomes easier for the insurer to claim that the injury is not their responsibility. The sooner you get a checkup after an accident happens, the clearer the link between the accident and your injuries. Otherwise, the insurer could claim it happened anywhere but at work.
Equally, you must respect the various deadlines involved in making a claim. These include reporting the accident to your employer on time and filing your claim within the allotted period. Miss a deadline, and your right to compensation may be gone for good.
Ignoring your doctor
Any claim you receive will be based on the diagnosis and prognosis the doctor gives. If they say you won’t be able to lift anything heavy for 60 days, then do not try to do so sooner. Even a moment’s lapse could be caught on camera and used by the insurer to reduce your claim. Remember, insurers often trawl claimants’ social media accounts or send a private investigator to follow them for signs that they are more capable than the doctor said they would be.
Trusting in others too much
Finally, one big mistake that many injured workers make is to leave everything in the hands of their employer and their employer’s insurer. Getting your own legal advice from someone who only looks out for your interests is wise.
