Do's And Don'ts Of Settling Your Workers' Compensation Claim

If you were injured at work, then it is important for you to follow these do's and don'ts to ensure that your workers' compensation claim is settled without any unnecessary hassles:

Do make sure that you notify your employer of your on-the-job injury as soon as it happens. In most cases, you can seriously damage your case if you don't report your injury in a timely manner, often within a few days.

Don't try to tough out pain or an injury to see if it improves before reporting it to your employer. If you do not report your injury when it first happens, then you can lose your right to file a claim and may end up having to pay for your own medical bills and lost wages.

Do ensure that when you file a claim you completely fill out the claim forms that your employer will provide for you. If you do not take the time to fill out the information properly and completely, then you may hurt your legal case down the road.

Don't guess about information or leave it blank on your workers' compensation injury report or claim forms. Incorrect or blank information harms your case and prevents the process from completing with the least amount of issues possible.

Do immediately seek an appointment with a physician who is approved by your employer's workers' compensation insurance company, or go to a local emergency room if your injury is serious and cannot wait for an appointment. Delaying to seek medical attention can be used against you later in court as proof that you were not as injured as you now claim that you were.

Don't ignore any of the medical advice that your physician gives you. If they prescribe a medication for you, even if you do not plan on taking it for some reason, you should still take the prescription to your local pharmacy and fill it. If the doctor refers you to physical therapy for additional help, then you should book an appointment and make sure that you attend as referred. By following the workers' compensation physician's recommendations, your attorney can later show that you did everything that was necessary to help improve your situation and follow the advice given to you. If you do not fill your prescriptions or go to physical therapy, then your employer and their insurance company can later claim that you were not truly injured. 

For a workers' compensation attorney, click on this link http://www.lshlaw.com or do an online search. 

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