You recently got hurt on the job – and that’s a struggle. It can sideline you, stress you, and leave you in the dark about what your next steps will be. It’s a maze to handle the claim system by yourself. Most people commit mistakes that can ruin their claims. Rock Hill workers’ compensation lawyers are like having a safety net to help you economically and physically.
To help you avoid these pitfalls, let’s dive into the top five mistakes to steer clear of:
1. Filing Workers’ Compensation Claims Too Late
The biggest mistake is not reporting your injury to your employer immediately because the law dictates that you have to report your injury within the stated time frame — it’s either when the incident occurred or when you first discover you were injured. Your claim may be rejected if you withhold this.
How a Lawyer Can Help: A workers comp lawyer ensures you get all the reporting done so you don’t miss any critical dates. They can gather other documentation or additional witness statements to support your case.
2. Medical Care is Delayed or Inappropriate
Although you can still receive compensation for your injury after you’ve been hurt, and even if it’s a minor one, you shouldn’t wait to seek medical attention. Not only does this aid in your recovery but getting checked out right away creates a medical record that can prove your injury. Unless you get treatment right away, an insurance company may say your injury wasn’t as severe as you’re claiming.
How a Lawyer Can Help: A lawyer will guide you through that process — making sure you’re getting the right care from the right people, and that it gets documented properly for your workers’ comp case.
3. Not Keeping Track of the Injury & Its Effect
While you may feel that your injury was obvious to everyone, not keeping a complete record of your medical care, recovery time, and lost wages can be a big mistake. Without a document of how your injury is disturbing your lifestyle and capable of dealing with your work, insurance adjusters may question the gravity of your condition.
How a Lawyer Can Help: A lawyer can keep you organized by making sure you have all your medical records in order, documenting your lost wages, and explaining how the injury affected you.
4. Basing the Hope that the Insurance Company Will Treat this Fairly
Insurance companies are businesses, and businesses do what businesses do; they cut corners or deny a claim. They could make up some kind of lowball offer or reject your claim. Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators, and they have ways of making your claim as low as possible.
How a Lawyer Can Help: A workers’ compensation attorney is familiar with the system simply because they are. They will assist you in pursuing all the required steps, ensure you meet deadlines, and – if your claim is rejected or undervalued – will fight for the compensation you are entitled to.
5. Not Consulting with an Attorney
Workers’ compensation laws can be difficult to understand.. If that’s the case, it’s not a surprise why injured workers often make workers’ compensation mistakes. That’s why consulting with an attorney might get you down the right track.
Why hire a Rock Hill Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
Mistakes in the workers’ compensation process can add up big – in terms of delays and claim denials, and smaller inconveniences. It’s wise to have someone like a Rock Hill workers’ compensation lawyer by your side. They help you avoid these common traps and walk you through every step of the claims process, from alerting you to report your injury properly to fighting for the benefits you’re owed.
Don’t risk a costly mistake. Make a consultation call to a law firm right now.
