Workers’ Compensation Mistakes to Avoid
Posted in Accident & Injury, Workplace Injuries and Claims on September 13, 2021
Injuries and accidents happen every day in the workplace. In 2019, approximately 2.8 million nonfatal and 5,333 fatal work injuries occurred. Employees who suffer from job-related injuries or illnesses can obtain workers’ compensation from the employer in monetary reward. We’ve compiled a list of mistakes that could ruin the chances of receiving necessary compensation.
Not Reporting the Injury Immediately
When someone fails to report their injury, it can jeopardize the chances of receiving compensation. For example, the employer can claim that the injury did not occur in the workplace or the person injured, and other witnesses may forget details about the incident.
Delaying Medical Attention
When someone doesn’t seek medical attention directly following an incident, the injury must not be that bad, right? Insurance companies use this to their advantage in court. The claim could be quickly dismissed if any treatment is delayed.
Exaggerating Injuries
Avoid exaggerating injuries when attempting to receive workers’ compensation. Doctors will document a fake injury in medical records that insurance companies can access. The discrepancy can get the case immediately thrown out.
Failure to Follow Treatment Plan
Patients incapable of following a treatment plan can lose out on their workers’ compensation and worsen their injury. Doctors give recovery plans such as tests, scans, therapy, etc., for a reason, and without the necessary precautions, injuries can worsen. Insurance companies who find that a patient lacks follow-through can claim the injuries aren’t severe or deserve compensation.
Not Hiring the Right Attorney
Workers’ compensation can be handled alone, but if you run into issues getting the benefits you’re entitled to, hiring the right lawyer can make all the difference. the last thing you want to do is hire an attorney not suited for the claim. When the wrong lawyer handles the case, the client could lose money, win the lawsuit, etc. A workers’ compensation lawyer is the best person to handle the case to help guide and get the client what they deserve.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of a work accident and are unsure of your rights, trust the workers’ compensation attorneys at Elk & Elk to determine your benefits.
Fill out our free, no-obligation online contact form or call 1-800-ELK-OHIO (1-800-355-6446).