When you experience an injury at work, it is far too easy to make mistakes that can cost you the benefits you deserve.
Filing an effective workers’ compensation claim starts the moment you are injured. Every small detail in how you respond to your injury matters—not only how soon you return to work, but how you report your injury, seek medical care, and file your claim.
If you want to learn what mistakes to avoid when making a Van Nuys workers’ compensation claim, the skilled workers’ compensation attorneys at Glauber Berenson Vego are here to help.
Anyone can find themselves injured in the workplace. Even easy, routine work can lead to health problems, such as:
Workers’ compensation covers more serious injuries, too. This could include those resulting from exposure to harmful substances, machinery accidents, or violence in the workplace between employees, customers, or patients.
No matter how a worker received their injuries, the first common mistake is waiting to report the injury to their employer. Verbally telling a supervisor does not count. The proper way to report a workplace injury is in writing as soon as possible, and you should keep a copy as proof that it was delivered on time.
Delaying this step will only give the employer or insurance company more reason to deny your claim.
Our knowledgeable lawyers could help you avoid mistakes like these when making a Van Nuys workers’ compensation claim, guiding you every step of the way.
Another mistake workers should avoid when pursuing a Van Nuys workers’ compensation claim is failing to seek medical care and document their injuries properly.
State workers’ compensation allows you to see a doctor soon after your injury. However, you cannot just see any doctor. You must see a workers’ compensation-approved doctor to evaluate your injuries.
Once you have seen the doctor, you must also record your visits and treatments. All of this information can serve as evidence to support your claim.
Additionally, during recovery, you might feel pressured to return to work before you are fully healed. You must resist that urge. Not only can that impede your progress or worsen your condition, it can undermine your case for reimbursement. Do not return to work until your doctor gives you full clearance to do so.
Other mistakes often happen because workers are unfamiliar with the workers’ compensation process. This can include errors or missing information on the DWC-1 form, which is required to formally file your claim.
Even small mistakes can lead to delays or denials down the line. An attorney could ensure your form is accurate and submitted on time.
Interacting with insurance adjusters without legal counsel could also threaten your claim. This is because adjusters often use tactics to avoid payouts, such as trying to get recorded statements from victims to minimize or deny claims altogether.
If the insurance adjuster wants to record a conversation with you, do not accept. Instead, talk with a workers’ compensation attorney first to avoid common mistakes when making a Van Nuys work injury claim.
Ultimately, the biggest mistake you can make is trying to navigate your workers’ compensation claim by yourself.
Seeking benefits for workplace injuries can be challenging. Rather than waiting for a delay or denial, contact Glauber Berenson Vego today for a free consultation.
Our expert attorneys could tell you what mistakes to avoid when making a Van Nuys workers’ compensation claim and leverage their experience to ensure you achieve the best possible outcome.
