A workplace accident can be highly disruptive when it results in a serious injury. The injured employee has to leave work, seek treatment and deal with the pain and the stress occasioned by the accident. If the injury in question was occasioned by the employer’s negligence or unsafe working conditions, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation for your damages.
However, before getting started with your workers’ comp claim, it is important that you understand how the process works. Here are three missteps that could jeopardize your workers’ compensation claim.
Failing to seek treatment immediately
Any delay in seeking medical attention following an injury in the workplace could compromise both your health as well as your workers’ comp claim.
How so? Because the most important piece of evidence that you can rely on to prove your injury is the doctor’s report. The doctor’s report will detail the nature and extent of your injuries as well as the time period you are likely to require for a full recovery. It will also contain the treatments and medications you will need to recover from your injury. All these are important when determining the compensation amount.
Failing to disclose your medical history
It is important that you are honest with your doctor about any past injuries you might have sustained prior to your workplace injury. Trying to hide a prior injury or a preexisting condition could be very problematic. The damage to your credibility, if you are found out, can be irreparable; and this can greatly hurt your chances of getting compensated for your injury.
Every occupation has its share of risks. If you sustain an injury in the workplace, it is important that you understand what to do. Most importantly, it is important that you are aware of the mistakes that can ruin your case.