After you suffer a workplace accident, there is a process you need to go through before getting compensation for your injuries. If you slip up along the way, your claim may not be successful, which may come as a great inconvenience.
Some injuries require extended stays in hospital, a time within which you will not be working. If workers’ compensation benefits are denied, you might find yourself in a tight financial fix. If you have suffered an accident on the job, you need to avoid these common pitfalls.
Staying too long without informing your employer
It is advisable to tell your employer as soon as you suffer the accident. You have 30 days to make them aware, but the earlier, the better. That way, the claims process can begin while you get treatment.
Delay or failure to see a doctor
Like with every other accident, you need to see a doctor. Even when you feel fine, or there are no visible injuries, it is important to run tests and rule out the possibility of internal injuries. On top of that, you may use medical records as formal documentation of the extent and nature of your injuries.
Not documenting facts about the accident
It is advisable to record the circumstances before and after your accident in writing to ensure you do not forget any crucial facts. Evidence may wear off with time, and your memory may fail you when you need to recount the minor details of the accident.
Protecting your rights after a workplace accident
You should not be intimidated by your employer for claiming workers’ compensation benefits. You have a right to be compensated for your injuries, and the law bars your employer from frustrating your efforts or retaliating against you.
You need to know what to do if your employer or insurer violates your rights or delays your claim without a worthy reason.