Too often, individuals who have been injured on the job or developed an occupational illness are under the impression that they simply need to fill out a few forms and they will be awarded a fair workers’ compensation benefits amount without delay. When the workers’ compensation system functions as it should, this is a relatively accurate picture of how claims are drafted and processed. However, most of the time, workers must jump through multiple hoops to secure whatever fairly valued workers’ compensation benefits award they’re entitled to. No two work-related injuries or illnesses are exactly alike. Therefore, it’s important not to let someone else’s easy, straightforward experience with the workers’ compensation system keep you from consulting an attorney before you request your own benefits award. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you avoid many of the common missteps that lead to claims requests being denied, undervalued, delayed, or compromised in other significant ways.
Common Workers’ Comp Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The first thing you’ll want to do is to seek necessary medical attention and to follow your doctor’s orders accordingly. If you feel that you could benefit from seeking a second opinion, that may be a valuable use of your time as well. Too often, workers wait to see whether their injuries or illnesses will resolve on their own. Not acting in a proactive capacity cannot only compromise your wellbeing, it can also compromise the strength of your workers’ compensation request. If you don’t seek medical attention right away, a claims adjuster may question the severity of your injuries or illness and reject or undervalue your claim as a result.
You’ll also want to avoid letting pressure from your employer, coworkers, or well-meaning loved ones keep you from exploring your legal options. If you work in certain industries or were raised a certain way, you may be led to believe that filing a workers’ compensation request makes you less of a strong, dedicated worker. This could not be farther from the truth. The workers’ compensation system exists, in part, because the U.S. government recognizes that accidents happen and even the most dedicated, responsible workers can become injured or fall ill on the job. Additionally, it’s important to know that employers cannot lawfully retaliate against you in any way for exercising your rights in re: workers’ compensation. Don’t let intimidation, fear, or well-meaning concern keep you from having the workers’ compensation system pay for bills that you shouldn’t be held responsible for.
Lastly, don’t wait. The law only gives you so long to file a claim. Waiting even a few days longer than you have to may compromise your ability to collect benefits. If you’ve been hurt or made ill on the job, act now.
Legal Assistance Is Available
If your work-related activities have resulted in injury or illness, please connect with an experienced lawyer, like a workers’ compensation lawyer from The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, today. You deserve to have your fairly valued claim approved and processed without delay. An experienced lawyer can help you to achieve that goal as efficiently and effectively as possible.