Workplace injuries can debilitate you physically, emotionally, and financially. Fortunately, although you cannot do anything to reverse things back to how they were before the painful incident, you are eligible for compensation to help you get back on your feet.
However, the success of your claim and the settlement amount depends on the type of evidence you present. The compensation amount also depends on the extent of your injuries and how the damage will affect your work.
Here are a few mistakes to avoid to get the most out of your workplace injury claim.
Not Seeking Medical Help Right Away
After a workplace injury, your priority should be to seek medical attention, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, such as concussions, may not show symptoms until days or weeks after the accident.
A doctor can properly diagnose your injuries and provide a medical report that will be essential to your claim. This report will detail your injuries, how long you will be off work, and any other treatment recommendations.
The report will also indicate the medical bills and the cost of follow-up treatments if necessary. Such information comes in handy when you need to negotiate a settlement with the insurer.
If you do not see a doctor immediately, the insurance company may use this as an opportunity to allege that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. The insurer may also argue that your injuries are from a past incident. Therefore, it is essential to see a doctor soon after a workplace accident.
Not Gathering Evidence
You cannot win a workplace injury claim without substantial evidence to back up your case. Therefore, you should take clear pictures of the scene and your injuries.
If there are witnesses, get their contact information so you can reach out to them later when you are ready to file a claim. You should also keep track of all the documents related to your accident, such as the police report, medical records, and bills.
Keep a journal in which you document your injuries, how the accident has affected your life, and the names of anyone you spoke to about the incident. The more evidence you have, the easier it will be to prove your workplace injury claim.
Not Speaking to a Lawyer
Workplace injury law is complex, and the requirements can overwhelm you. There are deadlines you have to meet and a ton of paperwork to go through and fill.
Additionally, insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers whose job is to minimize the amount they pay out on claims.
For these reasons, you should have an experienced workplace injury lawyer on your side. A lawyer will help you gather the needed evidence, file your claim before the deadline, and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurer.
An experienced workplace injury lawyer will also know how to deal with insurance companies' tactics to minimize payouts. You should never accept the first settlement offer from the insurance company. The initial offer is almost always too low.
Remember, the insurance company's goal is to make a profit, so they will always try to lowball you. As such, you should let a personal injury attorney negotiate on your behalf until you get a fair settlement.
Not Meeting the Deadline
There is a statute of limitations for workplace injury claims. The statute of limitations dictates how much time you have to file your claim. If you do not meet the deadline, you may not be able to recover any compensation.
Report the incident to your employer first, and communicate over email or messages so you can keep the communication as evidence. If you wait weeks or months to report the accident, you may forget some important details, which may harm your case.
In most states, the deadline is one year from the date of the accident. However, you should speak to a lawyer to determine your state's deadline.
You can trust us at Palmetto Injury Lawyers to guide and represent you after a workplace injury. We have the skills and expertise to help you get the highest value compensation. Contact us today so we can discuss the way forward.