Suffering from a workplace-related injury will most likely make you eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. The process for obtaining these benefits may vary depending on the type of injury you have and how severe it is. Regardless, you will need to complete the steps outlined below to ensure that you will receive compensation for your injuries.
Notify your employers properly
It is highly important that you notify your employer immediately of your injuries. Failure to do so may jeopardize your workers’ compensation claim. Depending on the situation, your employer may be responsible for allowing a dangerous situation to cause injury to an employee. When held accountable, it is their responsibility to fix the problem to prevent it from happening again.
Seek medical treatment
Perhaps the biggest mistake you can make in the aftermath of a workplace injury is skipping medical treatment if you think your injuries are insignificant. The symptoms may be mild for now, but the more serious problems may appear a few days or weeks after the accident – and may cause you more problems, health-wise. It may be wise to get a professional diagnosis so you can know how extensive your injury is.
Be truthful about your injuries
You may also downplay your injuries after receiving a proper diagnosis, especially if your job entails operating heavy machinery or one that requires brute strength. You may want to maintain a “tough” façade and power though. Downplaying your injuries to your medical provider, as well as your employer and the insurance company might negatively affect your compensation claims. It may be best to be truthful about the extent of your injuries and the amount of time you need to recover.
Seek legal advice
It is generally wise to seek legal guidance when filing a workers’ compensation claim. An attorney experienced in this niche area of the law can help you better understand the many rules and regulations involved with the process. An experienced attorney can help you prevent any procedural mistakes that may put your claim opportunity at risk. You may also get a higher chance of receiving all the compensation you are due.
The worker’s compensation claims process can be overwhelming, but with the help of an experienced attorney, you can navigate through it.