The workers’ compensation program is a government-mandated insurance program that offers wage replacement benefits, vocational rehabilitation, medical treatment, and several other benefits to eligible employees who fall ill while on the job. The Federal government has its own workers’ compensation benefits for Federal employees but the workers’ compensation program of the private sector is supervised on a state-by-state basis.
As long as negotiating workers compensation claims are concerned, it is an intimidating process. There are several instances where you might have to fight for the deserved compensation. This is when people might commit mistakes that can ruin the possibility of getting their claim accepted. Here is a list of mistakes to avoid.
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Not receiving instant medical attention
You have to remember that the backbone of your workers’ compensation claim is the immediacy by which you get medical attention. Insurance companies are famous for assuming that if you don’t seek medical attention, this means you weren’t hurt. If there is an emergency, request your colleagues to accompany you to the emergency room to get yourself treated. Hence, never make the mistake of missing appointments with your biography.
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Not maintaining a document of the details of the accident
In order to successfully file a claim, you should have the documents with the details of the accidents. As time passes, it is natural to forget the exact details like what you were doing during the time of the accident, the time and location of the accident, and what occurred immediately after the accident. This is why it is recommended that you note down how the accident occurred so that you can file a workers’ compensation claim.
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Not notifying your employer about the accident
It is imperative to report to your employer about the occurrence of the accident. But that doesn’t mean that you will report it verbally. All communications should be done via Email or text messages. Make sure your boss is informed about the latest changes in your recovery and treatment process. Don’t wait too long to file a claim as this will give a suspicious look to the case.
In case of minor injuries, it is not always necessary to hire a workers compensation lawyer. But in those situations where the employee has suffered from deep injuries, it is better to work with a professional lawyer who has knowledge and experience in handling such claims.