Hardworking individuals across the globe wake up early and dedicate their time and efforts to get the job done so that they can put food on their tables. Unfortunately, you might be working in high-risk areas where you can get severely injured on the job, leading to lost time at work and high medical bills. You might have even lost someone to a work-related accident. Your loved one might have left you impoverished with no means of income. Well, if you or your loved one sustains any work-related injuries, you are entitled to a worker’s compensation claim. However, some costly mistakes can ruin your chance of getting the compensation you deserve. Here are some of the key common mistakes that can hurt your worker’s compensation claim.
Failing to act promptly after the accident occurs
We understand that you might be traumatized immediately after the accident occurs. However, any delays might hurt your compensation claim. It would help to remain calm and try to document as much as possible. If you can move or stand up, try to take videos and photos of the scene. Other witnesses present before and during the accident might offer you some assistance and give their side of the story. Try to recall as much as you can, including what you were doing before the accident occurred.
Failing to keep detailed records
Keeping detailed records will help save time and energy and provide evidence of your injuries if the matter ends up in court. It would help if you made copies of your medical records such as X-rays, CT results, or MRIs to provide to the judge or your attorney. Please don’t forget to document costs incurred by accident, such as transportation, special aftercare, rehabilitation, and doctor’s wages.
Not following your doctor’s instructions to the letter
It would be best to seek urgent medical attention after being involved in an accident so that the doctor can give you a complete physical examination. The doctor will then examine your test results, give you a treatment plan and guide you on what you should and should not do. However, most workers fail to follow the doctor’s instructions after they start to feel better. Suppose the insurance company catches wind that you discontinued care or are neglecting the doctor’s instructions. In that case, they will conclude that your injuries are not as severe as you present them to be.
Not hiring a good attorney
Even though the insurance adjuster is being polite, they might not have your best interests at heart. In some cases, they might be waiting for you to slip up so that they can deny you your worker’s compensation. This is why it is best to work with a reputable attorney to help you file and maximize your compensation. The best course of action would be to talk to a personal injury law firm to fight for you. Your attorney will advise you on what to expect, mistakes you should avoid during the claim, and how to maximize your compensation.
Being dishonest with your attorney
Now that you are working hand in hand with a personal injury firm, you must disclose any information that could be useful to the case. Let them know if you had any past accidents or injuries, financial issues, alcohol use, or controversial employment history that the insurance company can use against you. If you are dishonest with your attorney or hide any details from them, they will not be in a position to help you once these issues resurface.
Acting beyond your restrictions
After a severe injury at work, your doctor might advise you to keep away from strenuous activity such as heavy lifting until your body recovers. However, you might start to feel better and become tempted to do things independently. If the insurance adjuster catches you undertaking tasks your doctor expressly told you not to do, they might argue that you are not that badly hurt and you should not receive compensation.
Embellishing your symptoms
Last but not least, a grave mistake that can harm your worker’s compensation claim is falsifying your symptoms to make them look less severe or more severe than they are. The doctor’s test results will eventually uncover the truth about the severity of your injuries. Therefore, if the insurance company finds out you exaggerated your pain and symptoms, they will begin to question your truthfulness, and the whole case might become skewered.
Wrapping up
Some companies can be malicious and do everything within their power to deny you workers’ compensation. However, if you make the mistakes above, you will be directly responsible for your lack of compensation. Ensure you are truthful, follow the doctor’s instructions and work closely with a top personal injury attorney to ensure you build a strong case.
