Injured On-The-Job? 4 Steps To Protect Your Rights To Worker's Compensation
Posted on: 19 April 2017
If you've been injured on the job, you can't afford to make mistakes, especially since even a small one can spell disaster for your worker's compensation claim. From the moment you're injured, your rights to worker's compensation benefits depend on the decisions you make and the steps you take. Here are four important tips that will help protect your rights following an on-the-job accident.
File an Official Report
If you've been injured at work, you need to file an official accident report as soon as possible – even if you've already informed someone verbally. A verbal acknowledgement of the accident does not protect your right to care, or begin the process for worker's compensation benefits. Visit your human resource office and file an official report concerning your accident. If your place-of-business doesn't have a human resource office, ask your manager for the paperwork you'll need to file an accident report. Be sure to keep a copy of the report for your records.
Don't Leave Out Any Details
After your accident, you'll need to seek medical care. While you're talking to your doctor, don't leave out any details – even if they seem insignificant. You never know when a minor complaint could actually be a detail that your doctor will need to make a thorough determination regarding your injuries. To make sure you give a thorough description of your accident and injuries, write down all the details you can remember, including how the accident occurred, and which parts of your body were involved in the accident. It's also a good idea to write down all the symptoms you've been experiencing, including pain levels.
Follow Your Doctor's Orders
Once you've seen a doctor, be sure to follow the order's you've received. Failing to follow your doctor's orders may delay your recovery time, and may interfere with your worker's compensation benefits. This is particularly true if you're caught doing something that your doctor has warned you to avoid. For instance, if you're caught doing heavy-lifting, and you've been told to avoid it, your worker's compensation benefits could be jeopardized, especially if the insurance company is monitoring your activities.
Hire a Worker's Compensation Attorney
If you've been injured at work, you need to hire an attorney – even if it seems that everything is going fine. Your attorney will ensure that you receive all the benefits you're entitled to. They'll also work to ensure that you receive the proper disability rating, which will be used to determine your insurance settlement.
Check with an attorney like Rizzi Law Group for more information.
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