Getting hurt on the job can happen to any of us. Sometimes injuries can be as little as a sprain, but other times they can be more serious. Let’s face it, many times when workers hear the term “Workers’ Comp” they shrug it off and say, “I go to work with aches and pains all the time!” While this may be true, getting hurt on the job can lead to some serious consequences. Regardless of what you think the severity of your injury is from a work-related accident, you should still consider talking to a professional.
If you are hurt on the job and you do not file a workers’ comp claim, it can become extremely challenging to support yourself or your family financially. The ugly truth is that there are so many injured workers who miscalculate the severity of their injury or they did not know how to handle their workers’ comp process correctly. Mistakes made during the critical time frame after getting hurt on a job, could leave you with costly and irreparable damages.
The number one mistake someone makes after getting hurt on the job is not reporting it or not reporting it in a timely manner. Laws and regulations vary from state to state, so the time that you have to report an accident could be different depending on where you reside. If you do not report your injury during your state’s mandated time frame, then you might lose the chance to collect your workers’ compensation benefits. Many times, people will not report an accident on the job because the injury is not visible, or they did not need medical attention right away. Even if you feel that your injury is not serious, it is imperative that you report your accident.
When looking at the state of Missouri, an injured worker should notify their employer in writing of their work-related injury within 30 days of the accident. The written notice must state the date, time, place of the injury, the nature of the injury, and the name and address of the person injured. After you have reported your injury to your employer, you need to file a workers’ compensation claim within 2 years. This form should be completed with care by a professional.
Another mistake people can make after an accident on the job is not seeking medical treatment right away. Receiving timely medical care can ultimately help you in the long run, as it can encourage a faster and more complete recovery. By getting this immediate care, you can also get a good baseline of what injuries you may have just incurred. With this on record, the medical evidence can serve as the documentation you will need to include for a workers’ comp claim.
Since we have discussed the two common mistakes people can make when dealing with an accident at the workplace, let’s now take a look at what making these mistakes could mean for the future. If you do not report your accident and your injury becomes worse than you thought, you more than likely have missed the chance to get financial help for medical attention. This could mean that you have to take on a huge financial burden yourself. This burden could inevitably leave you in monumental medical debt.
With workers’ compensation, your emergency room bills, MRIs, X-rays, diagnostic testing, surgery, therapy, psychosocial testing, and any other after-care needs will be taken care of, and you will not have to pay a cent. This can become extremely helpful if your injury turns into a long-term disability as well. If you are no longer able to work because of an accident on the job, you could be entitled to permanent long-term benefits. Unfortunately, sometimes despite the best care after an accident, you can still be left with physical limitations. If you do not file a claim, you cannot receive these benefits.
Workers’ Compensation is extremely beneficial and can become a lifeline for workers who need it. Without workers’ comp, thousands of workers would be left finding themselves without help for treatment, income, or compensation for their injuries. If you or someone you love has been hurt on the job, we would like to discuss your case with you. To learn more about getting the financial assistance you and your family need, contact us today by calling 573-443-4500.
