Hundreds of thousands of employees are injured on the job every single year, and some of those professionals never receive the financial assistance that they deserve. That is why all employees should understand their rights and responsibilities following a workplace accident. Here is a closer look at a few issues that employees must address when filing for workers’ compensation.
Accurately Reporting Your Injuries
Workplace injuries are often extremely complex, and trying to accurately report those injuries to an employer might be difficult. What seems like a clean fracture or minor sprain could actually be a major medical issue that requires multiple operations to fix. In some cases, you might not even realize the extent of your injuries until months later. Your injuries could eventually result in secondary problems such as chronic pain or mobility issues.
Being Hassled by Your Employer
It is an unfortunate fact that some employers ask their injured employees to come back to work right away. If you go back to work too soon, then you could end up making the old injuries much worse. Your employer has every right to keep in touch with you and check up on your recovery, but they should never hassle you. When it comes to your health and well-being, the only person that you should listen to is your doctor.
Filing the Correct Paperwork
In most states, you must report a workplace injury to your employer as quickly as possible. Once you have received medical attention, your employer should then give you the proper paperwork to fill out. That paperwork can be quite complicated, and you might want to contact a firm like Gilbert, Blaszcyk & Milburn LLP to explore all of your legal options. A lawyer who has experience dealing with workers’ compensation claims can make sure that no mistakes are made on any of your paperwork.
Following Complex Aftercare Instructions
Many injured employees don’t realize just how important it is to follow their aftercare instructions. Your workers’ compensation could be canceled if you don’t follow all of the instructions given to you by your doctor. For more severe injuries, those instructions might include physical therapy, home exercises, and occupational therapy. You also need to make sure that you schedule follow-up appointments for further instructions.
After being injured on the job, your health should be your primary concern. If you ever feel as if you are being hassled by your employer or an insurance agent, then you must contact an attorney to discuss your legal options.
Author Info: Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer and mother of two from Sacramento, CA. She enjoys kayaking and reading books by the lake. You can find her on Twitter.
