The 9 Biggest Compensation Claims Mistake You Can Easily Avoid

If you have been injured while performing your lawful duties at your place of work, the procedures that follow afterward, like reporting the injury and doing a follow up on compensation can be complicated and tedious. Therefore there are very high possibilities you will make mistakes which will, in return, affect your compensation benefits. Whether you are currently nursing a work-related injury or not, as an employee there are compensation mistakes which you can easily avoid, and they include;

1. Launching your claim without consulting with experienced Compensation Lawyers

Their best way to see compensation is through an experienced compensation attorney. If you choose to seek compensation resulting from work-related injuries without involving a lawyer, you are making a mistake you won’t recover from. Compensation attorneys know the regulating laws and procedures of compensation; therefore, they can negotiate better compensation terms. Acting on your own might result in under-compensation or termination of the claim as a whole.

2. Failing to report or making a late report of the accident to your employer

Your employer is a significant part of your compensation claim; therefore, how soon they gain knowledge about your accident dictates whether you have a claim. Most employers have set procedures of reporting accidents within their companies; therefore, ensure you follow the procedures to the latter. Also, when making your report, don’t leave important details like the time and date of the accident. In short, never fail to report to the relevant parties within the organization you work for, as this will affect your claim.

3. Not submitting your compensation claim within set timelines

Number one rule of submitting your claim is paying attention to deadlines and ascertaining accuracy on the compensation application form; late submission and omitting essential details might jeopardize your claim. The outcome of late submission to your claim can be as bad as a denial of your benefits; hence procuring the help of an attorney is among the ways you get to secure yourself from making mistakes like late submission.

4. Not giving a full account of your injuries to doctors

Medical records are part and parcel of the evidence used to prove the injuries you sustained. After an accident, you will have to see the insurer’s doctor and any other preferred healthcare provider. The doctor’s visit should be your chance to give a full account of your injuries and any pains you might be going through. Leaving out some details will lead to low compensation, whereas the injuries suffered are severe.

5. Not adhering to your assigned doctor’s guidelines

The doctor acting for the insurance company might schedule you for frequent visits and put you on medication that they deem fit. If you fail to attend the appointments, your actions will be impliedly taken as those intended to delay your recovery hence lead to discontinuance of your benefits.

6. Not seeking independent opinion

The insurance company’s doctor works for the insurer and not you; hence they might manipulate your treatment notes to favor the insurer. The end goal of manipulating treatment records is to reduce the amount you get to receive in benefits. Visiting an independent doctor for an opinion on your injuries will help back up any further claims you might have.

7. Taking up work duties before you are well enough

The benefits you receive as compensation for your injuries are not the insurer’s favorite payments to make. Therefore an insurance company might pressure your employer towards assigning you duties even before you are well enough. If and when you are required to work before you are well enough, contact a lawyer and get the help you deserve, including filing an appeal.

8. Not paying attention to your rating on disability

Ensure you are aware of what your rating means; therefore, if you return to work and your wages have reduced even after being cleared for disabilities, don’t accept the new wages; instead, talk to an attorney and appeal the decision.

9. Not returning to work

A disability sustained from your accident can lead to reduced wages, but it can also offer you benefits like reduced-earnings. Therefore returning to work if you feel better is among the ways you can maximize your compensation amount.

About the Author:

Kim Hemphry is a passionate expert in the areas of Legal Matters, learning and education. She has been featured on over 50 leading Legal and education sites and is a modern thought leader in the field. More about her interests and articles on her site – http://kimhemphry.com/.