Top Five Mistakes Made After a Workplace Injury

When you sustain a workplace injury, there are steps you take to ensure you get the proper medical attention and compensation for losses. However, many people do not know what to do or avoid when they suffer a job injury. Little mistakes can jeopardize your effort to obtain fair financial compensation and make a full financial recovery. In this blog post, we discuss five common mistakes individuals make after a workplace injury that you should avoid.

Failing to Report the Incident on time

The first and most important thing to do when you suffer a workplace injury is to report to your supervisor or employer. This is crucial because it forms the foundation of your compensation claim. When reporting your accident, provide facts and stick to relevant details.

Remember to obtain a copy of the report to verify the facts surrounding your accident. In California, worker's compensation laws demand that you report a work-related injury within 30 days to your employer.

Failing to Disclose Any Previous Injuries

Being honest is the key to getting the treatment and compensation you deserve. Disclose any previous injuries you may have had at the workplace, even if it seemed minor. While failing to disclose your previous injuries might get you the medical report you want, it can result in losing your compensation when the truth will eventually come out.

Refusing to Seek Proper Medical Attention

Another common mistake is failing to talk to your doctor to diagnose your injuries properly. During treatment, ask your doctor important questions related to your workplace injury. Ask for clarification on your treatment plan or other details you don't understand. It is absolutely critical that you receive a proper medical diagnosis for your injuries and follow your doctor’s prescribed treatment plan. This documentation can be used to support your claim for damages and demonstrate the severity of your injuries.

Not Going to Work When You Are Able

Report back to your job as soon as your physician confirms you are able to work. By failing to return to work, you may forfeit important benefits. You also have a duty to mitigate your losses, including losses related to lost wages. More importantly, you may be fired from your job and lose your ability to earn income as you make your physical recovery.

Failure to Get Legal Representation

Another common mistake you can make is thinking you can navigate your injury case without legal representation. The simple truth is that workplace injury cases are complex and require the knowledge and experience of a skilled San Diego workplace injury attorney to help handle the compensation claim process.

Many employees are concerned that involving an attorney will hurt their relationship with their employer. Personal injury laws are designed to punish employers, but to put the accident victim in the same financial position as before the accident occurred. Before signing any documents, you should first consult with an attorney to make sure your rights are protected.

Contact a San Diego Workplace Injury Attorney

If you have a workplace injury case that gives you sleepless nights, we are ready to assist you at Laureti & Associates. We have a team of attorneys who will stop at nothing when fighting for your rights to ensure you get the rightful compensation. Contact us online to schedule a consultation with our lead attorney, Anthony Laureti.