There are some critical dos and don’ts to remember if you have gotten injured on the job. Below, we discuss the do’s and don’ts of worker’s compensation so that you can avoid the pitfalls that far too many employees fall prey to. Following these will help protect your worker’s compensation claim, ensuring it gets accepted as compensable.
The Dos of worker compensation
1: Report Your Injury Right Away
Report your injury to your immediate supervisor immediately after it happens. Then, ask your supervisor to complete an incident report and give you a copy.
2: Seek Medical Care from the Panel of Physicians
Employers must maintain a panel of at least six qualified physicians by law. Ensure that you choose a physician from the panel to treat your injuries. Your employer should not choose a physician for you; that decision depends entirely on you.
3: Be Aware of Surveillance
Watch what you say and do in the workplace. The insurance company has a right to hire a private investigator to spy on you after you file your worker’s compensation claim. They can fight the claim if they can catch you behaving as if you are not injured.
4: Comply with the Doctor’s Orders
If your doctor prescribes bed rest, stay in bed.
If your doctor restricts you from lifting heavy objects, do not lift any heavy objects.
Failing to adhere to your doctor’s orders gives the insurance company ground to deny the claim.
5: Consult an Attorney
Consult an attorney immediately after your injury takes place. The earlier you involve an attorney in your case, the better the attorney can fight to get you fully compensated.
Don’ts of Worker’s Compensation
1: Don’t Seek Medical Attention from Your Family Doctor
Do not seek treatment for your work-related injuries from your family doctor. You must seek treatment from a lawyer-approved physician to receive income benefits if your doctor puts you out of work.
2: Don’t Give a Statement to the Insurance Company
Consult an attorney before you give a statement to the insurance company. You can jeopardize your claim with what you say. So, consult an attorney to help determine whether a recorded statement is necessary.
3: Don’t Quit Your Job
Keep your job going even after the incident takes place, unless your doctor says otherwise. If you lose wages because of the accident, the settlement amount you may be entitled to receive will increase.
4: Don’t Try to Handle the Case Yourself
As smart and capable as you are, we do not recommend handling your worker’s compensation claim yourself. Insurance companies are out to save money, not hand it over. As such, they will do everything possible to prevent you from pursuing compensation for your injuries.
5: Don’t Wait to Hire an Attorney
Wait until a few days before the settlement to hire an attorney. Involve an attorney in your case immediately after the injury; doing so will strengthen your case.
Get Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Right
As you can see, making a worker’s compensation claim is not a walk in the park. However, knowing the do’s and don’ts of worker’s compensation can save you the stress associated with worker’s compensation claims and increase your chances of receiving the benefits you deserve.
