In theory, workers’ compensation is a fairly straightforward way for your employer to cover most of the financial losses you will suffer because of a work-related injury on a fault-free basis. In practice, though, there are plenty of minor mistakes and major misconceptions that can—and all too often do—sidetrack workers’ comp claims, sometimes to the point that an injured worker does not get any of the benefits they should be legally entitled to receive. Here are just some of the possible roadblocks to financial recovery that a seasoned workers’ comp attorney can help you avoid during this process.
Thinking a Minor Injury Is Not Worth Worrying About
Probably the biggest mistake by far that you can make when it comes to getting workers’ comp benefits is thinking that an injury you suffered on the job is not worth making a fuss over. Even if you get just a minor cut on the job, you should always report that injury to your employer as soon as possible afterward—because if that injury suddenly gets a lot worse, and you need significant medical care for it, you will not be able to file a workers’ comp claim for reimbursement of those medical expenses if you did not inform your employer about the injury when you were supposed to.
Not Following Doctors’ Instructions to the Letter
Another big mistake that workers’ comp claimants often make is not taking their injury seriously, even after they have gone to the doctor and received specific directions about further treatments and things they should do to make the healing process go more smoothly. On top of potentially making an injury worse than it needs to be, ignoring a doctor’s instructions or missing a doctor’s appointment can lead to the insurance company thinking your injury is not as bad as you are claiming it is, and then denying you much-needed workers’ comp benefits as a result.
Not Being Honest About Injuries and Losses
Along similar lines, a lot of people wrongly assume that insurance companies are not paying very close attention to exactly what workers’ comp claimants say about their injuries and exactly what they do while they are supposed to be injured. If you try to exaggerate even a little bit about how bad your injury is in an attempt to maximize the compensation you get for your injury, you may wind up getting absolutely nothing at all.
Free Consultation We’ll help you win the benefits you need to get your life back.
Thinking the Insurance Company Will Have Your Best Interests at Heart
That being said, it can also be a big mistake to think that if you act straightforwardly and in good faith with the insurance company, the insurance company will act straightforwardly and in good faith with you. The unfortunate fact of the matter is that workers’ comp insurance providers are for-profit companies that make money by taking in premiums without paying out claims, and they will take any opportunity you give—accidentally or otherwise—to minimize what they pay you for their own financial gain.
A Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help You Avoid Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
None of what is written above should be taken to mean that getting a good result from a workers’ compensation claim is impossible. What it should emphasize, though, is that avoiding common mistakes and misconceptions can be key to obtaining the benefits you deserve—and doing that will be much easier with dependable legal counsel on your side. Call today to discuss your options with a qualified workers’ compensation lawyer at Shook & Stone.
DIRECTIONS 
