After suffering a work-related injury, there are several ways in which you can recover compensation for your damages. You may recover certain benefits and compensation through workers’ compensation or by filing a personal injury claim against the liable party.
However, you must take steps to protect your settlement no matter which path your claim takes.
1. Failure to Report Your Work Injury Immediately
The top mistake people make after a work injury is failing to promptly report their injury to their employer. Generally, workers must notify employers within 30 days of the accident.
Failure to notify your employer within this timeframe could deny your claim. In the aftermath of your injury, reach out to a work injury attorney before notifying your employer. That way, you can get the legal guidance you need from the start.
2. Admitting Fault or Making a Statement Without an Attorney
Another common mistake people make after suffering an on-the-job injury is making a statement to the insurance company or admitting fault for causing the accident without having an attorney present. If you file a claim for worker’s compensation benefits, liability doesn’t matter.
However, liability is everything if you file a personal injury claim for a work injury. If the insurance company argues you are partially or wholly responsible for causing your injuries, they may deny your claim.
3. Failure to Seek Medical Attention
Many work injury victims fail to obtain a medical evaluation immediately after the injury. You might think you feel okay now, but you could have suffered invisible injuries that could cause significant harm if left untreated.
Furthermore, the liable party can argue that your injuries were not caused in a work accident but were instead caused another way. For this reason, you need to obtain medical care immediately after you suffer a work injury, even if you initially feel fine.
4. Failure to Document Injuries
By obtaining a medical evaluation immediately after your work injury, you can avoid one of the biggest mistakes that work injury victims make: failure to document their injuries.
When you obtain a medical evaluation after the accident, your medical records reflect your injuries. You should also take photos of your injuries to document their extent thoroughly. Failure to do so could call into question the impact your injuries have had on your life and the severity of the injury itself.
5. Overstating the Impact of Your Injuries
Another common mistake of work injury victims is overstating the impact of their injuries. Healthcare providers, insurance companies, and judges alike will all know immediately whether you are exaggerating the extent of your injuries.
Although you may be hoping to get your claim approved, this could backfire and result in the denial of your claim. You must be truthful about the impact your injuries have had on your life to recover the compensation and benefits that are rightfully yours.
What to Do When You Don’t Qualify for Workers’ Comp
You may not qualify for worker’s compensation benefits. You might even work for a non-subscribing employer like Amazon, who chooses to forgo offering workers’ comp to employees. This decision leaves your employer unprotected from employees seeking legal action.
In that case, your only option to compensate your medical bills and other expenses is to file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party. A work injury lawyer thoroughly investigates your case and gets the facts to hold at-fault parties accountable.
Contact a Work Injury Lawyer in Alabama for Help Today
The work injury claims process is often complex. Get help navigating your path to financial recovery when you contact an experienced Alabama work injury lawyer at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C.
Our firm is proud to offer no-cost, risk-free consultations to work injury victims across the state of Alabama. Take advantage of this opportunity by filling out our convenient contact form or calling our office at 205-933-1500.
