Personal Injury Cases: Moving on to Better Things

On-The-Job Injuries: 5 Slip-Ups You Must Avoid For A Successful Claim

In the United States during the year 2012, there were roughly 4,400 work-related deaths and 3.8 million work-related non-fatal injuries. With statistics so high, it is possible that you may suffer an injury at work at some point in time during your life. If this happens, here are five errors that you should avoid to ensure proper compensation for your injury:

Failing to Report the Incident to Your Boss.

Believe it or not, this actually happens very frequently. Many employees are embarrassed or scared to tell their bosses that they've been injured. This may be because they are afraid they won't be taken seriously or that they may lose their job. Sadly, failure to report will drastically diminish the likelihood of getting compensation for your injury. As a general rule, you need to turn in a written report of your injury within one month, but this will vary from state-to-state; it is best to check with the Department of Labor or Human Resources at your place of employment. 

Failing to Submit the Necessary Paperwork Completed.

The paperwork that you have to fill out after suffering an on-the-job injury can be very intimidating. This can often cause you to skip areas and forget to go back and fill them out. Unfortunately, it is critical that all paperwork is filled out in its entirety before submission. Incomplete paperwork will often be denied, so it is in your best interest to go above and beyond when filling out the paperwork.

Failing to Get Your Medical Expenses Paid.

In most states, it is required of your employer to handle all of your medical expenses. Some people tend to feel bad about filing a workers compensation claim and will try to foot the bills themselves. Unfortunately, this only leads to financial troubles. If you receive a bill after seeing a doctor, make sure to consult with your employer and their insurance company immediately.

Failing to Collect Entitled Benefits.

Many people tend to forget that they are entitled to more than just medical benefits. In some circumstances, you may even be entitled to receiving benefits for disability and lost wages. However, it is your responsibility to pursue these benefits. If you are interested, a workers compensation attorney can help you with the recovery process.

Failing to Appeal the Decision.

If your workers compensation claim is denied, or you think that you receive less money than you actually deserve, you need to immediately take action. Depending on the state in which you live, you will have a particular time frame to file an appeal. Your workers compensation attorney can help assist you in this process as well.

If you're interested in pursuing a claim against your employer after sustaining an on-the-job injury, you need the help of a lawyer. The entire process can be daunting and overwhelming, not to mention confusing. A lawyer can help make sure all the necessary paperwork is filed and that you don't make a single one of the mistakes mentioned above. Contact attorneys such as the Shoap Law Offices to speak with a professional about your work-related injury claims.


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