After sustaining an injury at work, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance is legally obliged to facilitate your proper treatment and rehabilitation. However, employees must adhere to specific legal stipulations when filing a workers’ compensation claim.
A single mistake during the claim process could potentially be leveraged by your employer’s insurance company to dispute your claim. Let’s delve into a few common missteps that could undermine your workers’ compensation claim. For any queries, get in touch with PLBH at (800) 435-7542 to schedule a legal consultation.
Neglecting to Seek Medical Attention
Perhaps you underestimated the severity of the injury or decided to “tough it out,” hoping that your injuries would heal naturally. Regardless of the reason, neglecting medical care after a workplace accident is a grave error. A medical professional can provide all the necessary medical documentation required by the California Division of Workers’ Compensation. Evidence of medical treatment forms the backbone of your workers’ compensation claim.
Failure to Report the Injury
Not reporting the injuries to your employer can nullify your workers’ compensation claim. It is mandatory to inform your employer within 30 days of the work-related incident that led to the injury. Reporting a workplace accident immediately establishes a sense of urgency. Your employer should provide you with a claim form, which you should duly complete and submit to the California Division of Workers’ Compensation.
Disregarding Medical Advice
Overlooking the prescribed recovery plan from your doctor can prolong the healing process and also provide your employer’s insurance with grounds to reject your claim. Some insurance companies employ private investigators to unearth any evidence that might question the validity of your claim. If you refuse to return to work post your doctor’s clearance, the insurance company could challenge your claim, asserting that you are capable of resuming work.
Insufficient Details in the Claim
The claim form for a workers’ compensation claim necessitates a comprehensive description of the incident leading to one or more workplace injuries. Overlooking minor details about the accident scene or not mentioning a witness could be problematic. Missing vital information or embellishing your account of the workplace accident could lead your employer’s insurance company to accuse you of dishonesty.
Seeking professional assistance from an employment law attorney can help avoid these pitfalls. PLBH is here to guide you through this complex process. Contact us today at (800) 435-7542 to schedule a consultation.