Insurance companies didn’t grow into profit giants by paying out injury awards to every employee that files a claim, so you need to be smart about how you file for compensation. Even if it seems like you have an open and shut case, your inexperience with the system and the insurance company’s goal of limiting their liability can severely impact your ability of not only maximizing your award, but earning one at all. In today’s blog, we share some keys to earning a compensation award for your work injury.
How To Win Your Injury Case
Every injury case is different, so while your specific tactics will revolve around your individual case, many workers find the following tips helpful for navigating the process and earning a compensation award.
1. Lawyer Up – Your employer’s insurance company has an army of agents and hordes or legal advisors on their side. Do you really think going up against them by yourself will be a fair fight? Even if it seems like you’ll win your case easily, you may only get a fraction of what you’re truly owed simply because you’re unfamiliar with the process and what you should be entitled to receive. Sync up with an injury lawyer who knows the system, how to calculate your compensation package and who can advise you how to proceed as the case plays out.
2. Get Medical Treatment Quickly – Don’t wait to see if pain or other symptoms go away on their own. Failing to get prompt medical attention can send out the signal that your injuries aren’t that bad, which can limit your compensation or lead to outright claim denial. These medical appointments will be covered by workers’ compensation, so don’t fear getting an evaluation because of the cost if you suffered an on the job injury. Get a full medical evaluation from a physician you trust.
3. Detailed Records – It may come down to your word versus theirs, so if you record details, conversations, names and dates, you’ll have a helpful reference guide when retelling your side of the story. If it involves your injury case, write down the important details. Many clients also find it helpful to write about their symptoms and pain so they can see how their injury has affected them over time.
4. Act Quickly – Similarly to the point about getting prompt medical attention, don’t delay when it comes to talking to a lawyer and filing a claim. Obviously your health should come first and foremost, but don’t cripple your financial situation because you put off filing a claim. As soon as possible, call a lawyer and get the process rolling. In some instances, you only have days or weeks to report your injury or file certain paperwork, so don’t assume it’s something you can circle back to when you have the time. Again, this is why hiring a lawyer who can handle the heavy lifting while you recover can be so beneficial.
5. Don’t Tank Your Own Case – Finally, listen to your doctor and lawyer and avoid tanking your own case. Don’t do things outside of your work restrictions or do things on social media that could hurt the credibility of your claim. Don’t play golf if you’ve been told to limit physical activity, and don’t share unnecessary details on the phone or online when discussing your case. When in doubt, talk to your lawyer so your actions don’t end up hurting your case.
If you can do these five things, we’re confident you’ll be able to put a strong case together. For more information, or for help with your workers’ compensation claim, reach out to Hey Workers today.
