Workplace injuries never happen at a convenient time. You may be in the middle of an important task or worried about a pressing deadline.
In addition to being painful, a workplace injury can be complicated and stressful. There are critical steps to follow to get the care you need for your injuries.
These are some of the most common mistakes people make after getting injured at work.
Not reporting the injury (or waiting to report it)
Often, the timeline of your injury can be a vital element for your workers’ compensation claim. Reporting your injury right away supports your claim that the injury happened at work.
When you report your injury, your employer can start the workers’ compensation claim process. Delaying reporting can increase the chance that your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance will question your claim.
Skipping the doctor’s visit
Depending on your injury, it can be tempting to nurse yourself back to health and avoid going to the doctor. However, seeing a physician about your injury is essential to your workers’ compensation claim.
In addition to receiving a treatment plan to help you recover from your injury, your doctor visit will also support the scope of your injury and when your employer can expect you to be back at work.
Also, when you report your injury to your employer, you should ask if there is a specific doctor you need to see to support your claim. Sometimes, you may need to see a particular physician for some or all of your treatment.
Going back to work too soon
An essential part of going to the doctor after your injury is getting their analysis for when you can return to work and what type of work (if any) you can do in the meantime. Depending on your injury, your physician may tell you that you cannot work for a certain number of weeks or that you can only perform light-duty tasks.
While you may feel pressure to return to your regular duties, it is crucial to take the time you need to ensure your body has time to heal. Rushing back to work can worsen your injury and make your recovery more challenging.
Going through a workplace injury can be complex. It is important to report your injury immediately and follow your physician’s advice for your recovery.