How to Legally Protect Yourself After a Work Injury
If you have recently been injured at your place of employment, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages. Employers are legally responsible for hazardous work conditions that affect the physical health of employees. In many personal injury cases, there is a limited time that you can file for Workers’ Compensation. Insurance companies may employ tactics to prevent you from receiving financial compensation. Here are three tips to help you legally protect yourself after a work injury.
Notify Your Employer Immediately
Failing to notify your employer immediately after a work injury can disqualify you from filing a legal claim. When you report the accident, request Workers’ Compensation forms to fill out and return as quickly as possible. Keep a copy of this paperwork detailing your accident incident report for your personal records. Once you fill out the paperwork, your employer is responsible to file a Workers’ Compensation claim with the insurance company on your behalf.
In many cases, the insurance company will be looking for ways to deny your claim, so you may want to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney at this time. You can give your attorney a copy of your incident report and Workers’ Compensation claim to determine if you need legal representation. The attorney can deal with your employer and the insurance company on your behalf and guide you through the process. This will help you avoid potential mistakes that can affect your personal injury claim.
Seek Medical Attention
After you notify your employer of the accident, you may be directed to a designated physician for medical attention. It is vital you seek medical care within 24 hours of the work injury. Any delays can be used against you in court to deny your claim. The health insurance through your workplace is responsible for paying your medical expenses as the result of your injury. By seeking medical attention, you can further validate the events of your injury for your personal injury claim.
Make sure to notify this doctor of all your symptoms and areas of your body that were affected. Be honest regarding your symptoms. Any exaggeration may be used against you with the insurance company. Keep all scheduled appointments and notify your doctor if your symptoms get worse. You may also want to seek a second opinion from your own personal doctor to validate your injury.
Keep Detailed Records
Keep track of all paperwork you receive from your employer and medical care professionals. You may want to store documents in one folder in a safe place for easy access. When filling out paperwork, write legibly and be as accurate as possible about the facts leading to your work injury.
Include details such as the time of the accident and any possible witnesses. If the workplace conditions were unsafe, you may want to take photographs to be used as evidence. You may also want to keep written records of time missed from work and vehicle mileage to and from medical appointments.
Personal Injury Legal Representation for Your Work Injury
Filing a personal injury claim for your work injury can be a complex process. Consulting with an experienced attorney can help you protect yourself legally when dealing with your employer and insurance companies. As a leading law firm in Georgia and Alabama, Dwayne L. Brown Attorney at Law can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injury. Every client receives personalized attention and aggressive legal representation to help you recover physically, emotionally and financially. Call to schedule a consultation to discuss your legal situation today.
Posted on Behalf of Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown