3 Paperwork Blunders That Can Affect Worker's Compensation Claims
No one ever wants to believe that their employer would not be there to back them up if they get injured on the job. However, when it comes down to it, your employer will be out to protect their business, their reputation, and especially their money. Therefore, if you find yourself in the middle of a worker's compensation claim, you should expect that your worker's compensation lawyer will be about the only person you can trust. Unfortunately, mistakes are often made before the attorney ever comes in the picture, and in some cases, before the accident even occurs.
Here are three paperwork blunders that can affect the outcome of your claim:
Application Falsehoods
When you first sign up for a job, you may be tempted to omit certain facts about your medical state of being just to have a better chance at landing the job. Even though this type of falsehood is fairly common, it is never a good idea. If it is determined after an accident that you had previous medical issues not made known at time of hire, you could be held liable for your own injuries. Therefore, you will have a hard time obtaining a settlement for your case.
Manning Up On the Report
The people in the human resources department may be some of the best people, and you do not want to make them worry, but the initial accident report should contain every last detail of what happened and what is wrong. This is not the time to "man up" and try to be tough about your injury. Be detailed about what is going on and make sure the initial statements on paper are reflective of what you really are dealing with.
Blind Signing
When it comes to your personal finances or employment, signing something you do not understand is never a good idea. This is especially important when you are in the middle of a worker's compensation claim. Make sure any document given to you by your employer is assessed by your worker's compensation lawyer before you even think about picking up a pen.
As much as it seems obvious to you who should be responsible for your medial bills after an injury at work, there is a good chance your employer will not see things in the same way. Be sure to pay close attention to every last aspect of paperwork filing that involves your employer, both before, during, and after an accident has occurred.
To learn more, contact a company like Neifert Byrne & Ozga with any questions.
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