Injuries at work can be tricky. Sometimes you don’t sense exactly how injured you are until days later. Perhaps you don’t feel much pain or you hope that the pain will decrease and soon go away. In other instances, employees are afraid to file a report — or they simply don’t know where to begin. Whatever the reason, neglecting to file a report is a big mistake. Failure to report an accident is a common reason employers and insurance carriers try to deny cases. When a workman’s comp case is denied with a Form 61, the insurance carrier is essentially refusing to pay for medical treatment and workers compensation benefits, which means the injured worked is prematurely forced to return to work in pain because he or she cannot afford to be out of work — and often cannot afford the medical treatment.
Make sure this doesn’t happen to you.
When you are injured at work, report the accident immediately. When you do, insist on a written incident report and be sure to s
eek medical treatment to corroborate your claim. Do not wait months or even weeks to make it known that you were injured at work. And don’t allow fear of being fired or reprimanded prevent you from reporting the incident in a timely manner.
If you have any questions or concerns about the steps to take following an injury at work, the legal team at Oxner + Permar is here to help guide you through the process and ensure that your rights are protected.
