A work injury claim is used to compensate employees who end up becoming injured in the process of performing their work. It pays for medical expenses, lost earnings, and other expenses. However a lot of employees commit errors that undermine their claims and postpone the compensation.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a busy city that has an effective workforce in various fields such as healthcare, construction, and education. Accidents in the workplace may occur anytime, and it is important to know your rights. Talking to a Philadelphia work injury lawyer not only saves you from expensive errors but also guides you through the claim process.
Mistakes to Avoid in a Work Injury Claim
Failing to Report the Injury Promptly
One of the most common errors that workers make is delaying reporting their injury. Some employees wait, hoping that their pain will pass or in fear of losing their jobs. Late reporting may cause the insurance company of your employer not to believe your story and, as such, deny your claim.
Delaying or Refusing Medical Attention
Some employees do not seek medical attention, believing that the injury is not severe. It is a huge mistake given that medical records are important pieces of evidence in favor of your case. It is difficult to demonstrate that you got hurt at work without them.
Failing to Document the Incident
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, 2.8 million nonfatal workplace accidents were reported by private employers. This indicates how often these accidents happen and why recording of accidents is crucial. You are expected to record the place, date, and manner in which the injury happened, providing witness testimonies and photographs where possible.
Documentation helps to make your statement more credible. Without written evidence or documents, insurers can claim that the accident did not occur at the workplace. Never fail to make a paper trail after any accident at the workplace.
Returning to Work Too Soon
Some employees are in a hurry to return to work in order not to lose their income or disappoint the employer. Returning too soon, however, before you are fully recovered can do you harm. It gives an impression to the insurance company that your injury was not serious.
Never rush out of treatment and back to work. A premature leave will be detrimental to your health and your claim of compensation.
Not Hiring a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Attempting to manage a claim may be unsafe. Workers’ compensation laws are not easy to understand, and a small mistake can cost them some benefits. A qualified lawyer helps you in meet deadlines, collecting medical evidence, and securing fair settlements.
In fact, research shows that injured workers who employ attorneys receive higher compensation than those who do not. An experienced lawyer makes sure that your rights are not violated and you do not receive less than you deserve.
Taking Too Long to File Your Claim
All states have time limits on filing a workers’ compensation claim. Failure to meet such deadlines may lead to complete loss of benefits. In order to save evidence and make your case count, you should file on time.
Even if you think your injury is not that serious, it is always better to initiate a claim as soon as you can. When you delay making your case, it becomes difficult to prove in the future.
Final Thoughts
Filling a work injury claim can feel overwhelming, but a Philadelphia work injury attorney can guide you to manage your claim the right way to protect your rights every step of the way. The following are some of the pitfalls to avoid when filing a work injury claim:
- Report the injury right away.
- Immediately seek medical attention.
- Record all the details of the incident.
- Wait until you are completely healed before returning to work.
- Get a professional attorney to help you.
- File your claim on time.
Guest writer
Editor’s note: Labour legislation differs from country to country so readers are advised to check with legal practitioners in their country for legal advice that is relevant to their circumstances.
