On the surface, one would think that workers’ compensation cases would be pretty straightforward. If you were injured on the job, you should be able to collect compensation for medical expenses and lost wages, but nothing is ever straightforward and simple in the world of workers’ compensation.
Insurance companies are always looking to limit their liability and restrict the amount of compensation an injured worker can receive, and because they oftentimes prey on a worker’s vulnerability and unfamiliarity with the system, the injured worker can end up being shortchanged in the process. We want you to get every penny you deserve, so we want to use today’s blog to share five key tips for navigating the complex world of workers’ compensation.
Navigating Life After A Work Injury
Work injuries are unique to the individual, but if you follow some of these simple tips, there’s a good chance that you can set your case up for success:
1. Report Your Injury – Even if you’re not sure if you’re going to file for workers’ compensation, it’s a smart move to report your injury to your employer. Creating a record of the incident is required for any injury claim, and if you end up developing symptoms days or weeks later, the insurance company may question the cause of your injuries if there is no report on or around the date you say the injury occurred.
2. Seek Out Medical Care – It is essential that you seek out a professional medical evaluation after a work injury. This is another required element of any valid claim, and it provides credibility to your claim that you suffered legitimate injuries during a workplace accident. Proof of the existence of compensable injuries is crucial to any injury claim.
3. Don’t Delay – Similarly, it’s incredibly important that you act quickly after a work injury. We understand that you may be hampered by your injuries or worried about how the accident impacts you and your family, but if you really want to make sure your family is taken care of, don’t put off the pursuit of a claim. Longer delays in reporting your injuries, getting treatment or moving forward with a claim can make it much harder for you to earn the compensation you deserve. Don’t make things harder on yourself than they need to be, act quickly after a work injury.
4. Heed Instructions – During the course of your injury claim, you’ll be given some instructions from your doctor and your lawyer, and it’s imperative that you listen to their advice. If your doctor tells you not to return to work or avoid certain activities, don’t step outside these work restrictions. Similarly, if your attorney wants more information or needs the contact details of someone who witnessed your accident, follow through on these requests. Listen to the professionals involved in your case, and it will help the whole process run smoothly.
5. Call An Attorney – Finally, although this is the last item on this list, don’t assume that means it’s the least important of the tips. The single best thing you can do to ensure you have the highest likelihood of fair payout after a work injury is to connect with a skilled injury firm like the team at Hey Workers. We know all the tricks the insurance company will try to pull, and we know how to make a clear and convincing argument that you are entitled to compensation. Oftentimes an injury lawyer more than pays for their services by securing a client more money than they’d ever be able to achieve on their own, so let us go to work for you.
If you really want to ensure that your injury claim case runs smoothly, pick up the phone and connect with the talented team at Hey Workers. We’ve helped countless Minnesota workers get the compensation they deserve, and we’d be happy to add your name to our list. For more information, or to discuss your specific situation, give our team a call today at (844) 439-9675.
