No one really wants to claim a worker’s compensation case. First of all, the whole implication around filing a worker’s compensation claim is that there was some foul play or injury to begin with. And then, you have to get all legal, with the help of legal professionals and the threat of the court of law.
As per Cornell, worker compensation laws protect people injured during their job hours, and they exist to aid employees. But they aren’t always immediately followed up by action on the part of employers. And when attorneys are involved, things can get hostile, or just plain unfriendly.
But that doesn’t mean in the slightest that you should be deterred from getting the compensation you rightfully deserve after your harrowing event at work.
It’s difficult, and there will be a lot of obstacles in your way, but with the right help you will be able to claim what, as per the law, is rightfully yours.
That being said, even with the expert services of a law firm like TRLF, there are still common mistakes you could make in your first (and hopefully only) workers’ compensation case, and here are the mistakes and issues both you and your workers’ compensation attorney need to watch out for.
1. Don’t take too long.
The absolute worst thing you can do after a serious accident is simply sit on it, and think nothing of it. You need to act, and you need to act quickly. Failing to file a claim in a timely manner after your injury and the subsequent company inaction will be used against you when things begin to get dire.
2. Don’t lie.
It should come to no one’s surprise that you shouldn’t lie in regards to legal matters, but the truth is that anything even remotely beyond the truth –such as an exaggeration – can invalidate your claim. Be completely transparent.
3. Take care of yourself.
While you are entitled to pay and other benefits after suffering an injury due to your line of work, if you don’t follow your doctor’s instructions after an injury and make it worse, you’re giving your employer’s legal team ammunition to suggest that the injury has more to do with your medical negligence than anything else.
Be honest – that’s the best advice anyone can give.
