No one expects to get injured on the job. Even though you try to do everything in your power to stay safe in the workplace, you cannot always predict what someone else is going to do. If you did get injured on the job, you are probably trying to figure everything out. You get stuck dealing with the doctor, your employer and workers' compensation. The last thing you want to do is make a mistake that could end up ruining your case and costing you your benefits. Here are three mistakes you want to avoid at all costs.
Not acting immediately after the accident occurred.
After being injured, many people feel embarrassed or disoriented. It's hard to think clearly when you are injured. The first thing you have to do is remain calm. Most people are quick to come to the aid of someone who was injured. Everyone will have their own account of what happened. However, you want to make sure that your side of the story is told. Document anything you can think of pertaining to the accident, such as time, date, location, witnesses and so on. Make sure to keep a copy of anything you provide to your employer. Don't wait around to talk about the accident with your employer. The longer you wait, the hazier the details will become.
Not telling your healthcare provider the details of the injury.
Your doctor needs to know all of the details about how your injuries occurred, whether you have any pre-existing conditions and whether you injured the same body parts before. Don't just say you are fine. Respond with specifics about what hurts, how badly it hurts and whether your pain has subsided or gotten better. Be honest about what is going on.
Not telling the truth about your injuries.
Oftentimes, people end up embellishing how bad their injuries are. They figure it is going to be better for their workers' compensation claim. However, that isn't the case. Doctors are going to put you through a series of tests to see exactly what is going on with your injuries. If you claim one thing and the test shows another, it isn't going to look good for you when the report is made to your employer. You could also be in trouble for insurance fraud. It simply isn't worth it to try and lie about your injuries.
By not making one of the mistakes above, you can get through your workers' compensation claim quickly and easily. If you are ever in doubt about what you should or shouldn't be doing, you need to talk with your attorney.
