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Common Mistakes Injured Workers Make When Filing for Workers’ Comp

If you are injured on the job and need to file for workers’ compensation benefits, there are certain factors that you must consider. There are steps that must be taken to ensure that your claim is processed correctly. Keep reading to learn some of the most common mistakes workers make when filing for workers’ comp. You can contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 with questions.

Waiting Too Long to Report the Injury

You have limits on how much time can elapse before you report your injury to your employer and time limits on how long you have to file for workers’ compensation. If you do not report your injury in time, then you can have your claim denied with no recourse.

Not Going to Doctors Appointments and/or Not Following Their Advice

A few things happen when you miss doctors’ appointments or therapy appointments. First, you risk injuring yourself further. Second, you risk making it appear that you are not as injured as you are. Third, the insurance company can argue that your injury would not be as severe as it is if you had followed your doctor’s instructions and not missed appointments.

Not Reporting All of Your Symptoms

No matter how minor it might seem or whether it is directly related to the injury you are claiming benefits for, you should report all symptoms to your healthcare professional. Even a minor injury can impact your overall health and make it appear as though you are not being honest. Assume that every fact about your health and your injury will be found out and be the one to tell your medical team.

Losing Evidence

Even if you believe that there is no way your employer will challenge your claim, you should retain evidence as though they will. Take pictures of the accident scene if possible. Take pictures of your injuries. Keep names and numbers of any witnesses who can talk about what they saw. Take the time to write down your recollection. You might be surprised by how quickly you might forget the details of your accident.

Posting About the Injury on Social Media

You should assume that anything you post on social media will be seen by the insurance company and used against you – even if you post it as friends only or privately. You should assume that anything you post will be taken out of context. Ideally, do not post on social media at all, but if you must post, avoid talking about the injury or accident at all.

If you are wondering how to best proceed after your accident, we welcome you to contact a personal injury attorney for a free legal consultation. You can contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 now.