Don’t tank your workers’ compensation claim by doing the wrong thing.
Workplace injury claims are complex. Most people think that any injury at work is automatically covered under workers’ compensation. This is not the case, there is a lot more to it than that. The best thing to do if you have been injured at work is to contact a board-certified workers’ compensation specialist to discuss your claim early in the process, but these tips can also help.
- Report your injury in writing: It is important that you let your employer know as soon as possible that you were injured at work. It is best to make sure that you give written notice as well as verbal notice. You should do this even if you think your employer is already aware that you were hurt at work.
- Report ALL your injuries: Sometimes folks focus on the most severe injury and forget to mention the injuries that are not as severe. It is normal to focus on the injury that hurts the worst. It is still important to tell your employer and your doctors early on, preferably in the initial visit or report, about all your injuries from the event.
- Make notes: You should make notes about what happened, what your injuries are, what hurts, what is getting better, what is getting worse, who your doctors are, what they recommend, conversations with the employer or workers’ compensation carrier, etc. These notes can help you down the road if there is ever a question about any of these things.
- Be detailed: It is best to be as detailed as possible when you describe what you are feeling and what happened to you at work. It is hard for folks who are not versed in workers’ compensation to understand how important details can be. Details can make or break your claim.
- Consult an attorney: It is always best to consult a board-certified workers’ compensation attorney when you are hurt at work. You should do this early in the claim. The insurance company will often want a recorded statement; you should always talk to an attorney before giving a recorded statement. Click here to read our blog post on recorded statements.
Will my employer be upset if I seek an attorney?
Some people are worried about how their employer will react if they get an attorney. At Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, we are mindful of this. We will talk to you and discuss your options, and we will help you decide whether to hire an attorney at this point in your case. No matter whether you decide to hire an attorney or not, it is important for you to understand your rights. We can help you do that. Too often we see claims where the client has felt that he or she does not need an attorney and the claim goes off track and the damage has been done by the time the client finally comes to our office.
Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC offers free initial consultations, meaning that we do not charge for this appointment.
At Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, we want to protect the rights of injured workers and make sure that their claims are handled correctly from the start. If you or someone you know has been injured or killed on the job, call Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC today at 888-694-5515 or email Fred Poisson, Jr. at fdp@poissonlaw.com or Stewart Poisson at esp@poissonlaw.com. We have offices in Wadesboro and Wilmington, North Carolina. We can help ensure that your workers’ compensation claim is handled fairly and give you the peace of mind that you need during this difficult time.
