Injuries in the workplace can be devastating to an employee. Even injuries that might seem mild at first can become worse over time or turn out to be worse much later on. It’s crucial, as an employee, that you receive medical attention as soon as you suffer an injury at work. Report it to an employer as soon as possible. Most states require that the employer allow you to see a doctor as soon as you can. This will help you stay on top of your injury and any claims in the future. Here is why it’s crucial that you report your claim in a timely manner.
Accident Investigations
When you report your injury, there will usually be an investigation into the accident. If you wait too long, this investigation will be stalled. If you were injured because of hazardous conditions, then another worker may be hurt in the meantime. Another reason to report right away is so that the injury and the scenario are still fresh in your mind. The investigation will more than likely turn out positively for you.
Avoid Worsening Injuries
The last thing that you want to do is make your injury worse. It is bad enough if you have to miss work due to an accident. To have to wait longer to return to the job because you exacerbated the injury is worse. The sooner that you report it, the more likely you are to get the best medical attention possible. Many injuries can get worse if not handled properly. When you file an injury report, you have to see doctors and undergo treatment for the injury. If you need surgery or physical therapy, you can receive it.
Reach Deadlines
Most states have deadlines regarding workers’ compensation, so you have to report your injury in a timely manner. Some states will say that you need to report the injury as soon as it is practical to do so. You do not want to miss out on these deadlines. This is why, even if you don’t think the injury is bad, you should report it right away. You normally have between 10 and 90 days to report an injury, then you have between one and three years to file a claim.
When it comes to injuries in the workplace, you do not want to wait around instead of filing a claim. The sooner that you file a claim, the more likely you will be to receive compensation for your injury. To help you through the workers’ compensation process, talk to a workers’ compensation attorney, like a Newark workers’ compensation attorney, today.
Thanks to Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. for their insight into the importance of filing for workers’ compensation on time.
