5 Common Mistakes Employees Make After a Workplace Injury

Have you ever been injured at work? If so, you’re not alone. Whether you’re working with dangerous materials or you simply took a nasty fall, it’s easy to get hurt while you’re at work.

If you sustain a workplace injury, you might not know what to do next–it’s not always clear who you need to talk to or which steps you should take. As a result, many workers make mistakes when dealing with workplace injuries.

These mistakes can end up costing you valuable assistance or compensation from your employer. If you want to avoid that, keep reading–we’ll cover five common mistakes people make after a workplace injury.

1. Not Reporting the Injury

The first major mistake many people make is not reporting their injury. To qualify for a workman’s compensation claim, you need to report your workplace injury as soon as possible.

File a report the same day the injury happens. If you wait too long, it may hurt your credibility; your employer or insurance may question why you didn’t report the injury immediately.

2. Failing to Report Prior Injuries

When seeking compensation for a workplace injury, you need to disclose all previous work injuries you’ve suffered as well. Failure to do so could result in your entire case being thrown out.

At some point, you’ll be asked about prior workplace injuries. Be completely open and honest about all prior injuries; lying about prior injuries is considered fraud.

3. Failing to Treat Injuries

Seek treatment for any injuries you sustain at work. If you’re offered a medical examination by your employer, take it–if you don’t and then later try to claim compensation, they’ll use your refusal of care against you.

You also need to make sure you treat all of your injuries, not just the ones that seem the worst. Cover your bases and get treatment for everything!

4. Failing to Get Representation

The unfortunate truth is that many employers don’t want to pay out workman’s compensation; when you’re injured at work, it can lead to legal battles with your employer.

Don’t try to represent yourself in court if it comes to that. Instead, hire an experienced workplace injury lawyer. They know how to get you the compensation you deserve.

5. Going Back to Work at the Wrong Time

Returning to work after an injury can be tricky. You don’t want to return to work before you’ve recovered as this can make your injury even worse. On the other hand, you should be careful not to wait too long to go back to work as this could make you lose your compensation and benefits–or lose your job altogether.

This is why it’s important to seek Guidance for Workers on Returning to Work After a Workplace Injury in Workers’ Compensation Cases. This can help make the right decision about when to return and how to protect individual rights during the process.

Dealing With a Workplace Injury

A workplace injury can be traumatic, leaving you hurt and confused. Knowing how to proceed after a workplace accident can remove some of that uncertainty and stress; now, you understand how to avoid some common mistakes.

Properly treating your injuries–workplace or otherwise–is an important part of staying healthy. If you’re looking for other ways to improve your well-being, visit our health blog for advice on fitness, mental health, and more!