The average person will hold 12-15 jobs in their lifetime, so it’s not all that uncommon to change positions or industries if an opportunity presents itself. Changing jobs can be good for your career, but it can also complicate matters if you develop a work related injury that occurred before you changed jobs. Can you still file for benefits if you changed positions, or are you out of luck? We answer those questions and more in today’s blog.
Getting Workers’ Compensation From Your Old Job
You might think that it’s rare for a person to have a work injury from a past job that develops after they’ve taken a new position, but it happens more than you might think. Some people may get injured in the last few days of their job and symptoms may take a while to develop, or repetitive stress injuries or joint problems can be caused by work performed at a previous job. For example, if you worked with your hands for 20 years, then were diagnosed with arthritis after changing careers, you may be able to seek compensation from the previous employer for a work related injury.
You are entitled to seek workers’ compensation benefits from a previous job even if you’ve taken a new position, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy to win your case. Here’s what you’re going to want to do if you believe a previous job led to your current injury:
1. Inform Both Employers – You’re going to want to let your former employer and current employer know about your injury. Your former employer is going to have to file a report, and your current employer may need to adjust your work duties. Let them both know about your injury because they will both need to take action.
2. Talk To A Lawyer – Next, you’re going to want to talk to a workers’ compensation law firm like Hey Workers. These types of cases are difficult to prove, even if the evidence seems clear, so you’re going to want a professional in your corner. It’s almost certain that you will be given an initial denial of benefits from your previous employer’s insurance company, so you’re going to want a lawyer to help navigate this process and the next steps.
3. Medical Assessment – You’re going to need to get medical documentation of your injuries. Let the doctor know about your symptoms and that you believe it may be tied to previous work duties. In their report, they’ll be able to provide a professional opinion as to whether previous work duties likely contributed to your diagnosis, which is key to proving a connection and getting compensation.
4. Patience – The final thing you’ll need during this process is patience. It’s going to take some time to put together a case that proves that your injury was a result of work performed at your old job, and the insurance company is likely to deny your claim. This means your case may end up going before a judge, which takes some time. Try to have patience during this process, and don’t be afraid to talk to your lawyer if you have any questions or concerns.
If you believe your old job contributed to your current injury, you may be entitled to injury benefits, so talk to a workers’ compensation firm today. To talk about your injury or your case with a lawyer, give Hey Workers a call today at (844) 439-9675.
