If you suffer an injury while working, you have every right to file a workers’ compensation claim. However, filing for benefits can be a complicated process and mistakes can happen along the way. Here are a few common mistakes you’ll want to avoid after getting hurt at work.
Waiting Too Long to Report the Accident
If you get injured in an accident at work, you are required to tell your employer about it. In Illinois, you must report your injury within 45 days after the accident. If you miss that deadline, you may miss out on your right to benefits. As such, it is important to tell your employer about the accident as soon as possible.
Not Being Honest with Your Doctor
After you suffer an injury at work, it is essential to seek medical care. A doctor will evaluate your injury and then recommend the appropriate treatment. When the doctor asks you questions about your injury and how it happened, you must be completely truthful. If the doctor finds out that you tried to exaggerate your symptoms, it could jeopardize your workers’ compensation claim.
Failing to Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
In order to receive workers’ compensation benefits, you must be an active participant in your own recovery. If it is discovered that you’re skipping your doctor’s appointments or stopping treatment too soon, your benefits could get discontinued. However, if you don’t agree with your current doctor’s recommendations, you may want to seek a second opinion.
Believing That You Don’t Have a Valid Claim Because of Pre-existing Condition
Some employers decide to deny workers’ compensation claims if they believe the employee just has a pre-existing condition. However, just because you have a pre-existing condition, doesn’t mean that you don’t have a valid workers’ compensation claim. You will just need to provide evidence that the work injury aggravated your pre-existing condition.
Accepting a Settlement Without Having it Reviewed By a Lawyer
It may be tempting to agree to the first settlement your employer’s insurance company offers you. However, you don’t know if it’s a fair offer. That’s why it’s important to have a workers comp lawyer, like one from Therman Law Offices, LTD, review it first.
If you’ve been injured in the workplace, you may want to discuss your case with a workers’ comp lawyer.