It's easy to assume that your employer's workers' compensation coverage is a guaranteed benefit, but once you get hurt and try to get coverage it looks different. The workers' comp carriers can be difficult to deal with, particularly if you aren't informed. Read on and get informed about some common mistakes people tend to make with workers' compensation.
1. You have an injury that causes off-and-on pain, such as a back or neck injury. You have days when the injury doesn't bother you much and days when it does, so you hesitate to do anything but complain about it to your supervisor. Your supervisor is not a mind-reader and will not automatically suggest you need to file a claim and get help for your injury, so you must inform your supervisor about it.
2. You suspect you have a work-related injury and speak to your primary care physician about it. When you do, however, you fail to let the doctor know that the injury or occupational illness is a result of your job. You must always let your doctor know about your injury by mentioning your job in relation to your injury very specifically. The visit will be coded and billed differently and you will have proof of seeking medical care for your injury. Be sure to follow up by letting your supervisor know that you sought help for your problem with your primary care doc.
3. You are released to go back to work by your workers' comp doctor and you try to so, but your injury is still bothering you. Just complaining and going back to work in pain is not the answer. Instead, write a letter to your employer with your complaint and date it. Make copies and provide your employer with the signed copy. Do not be tempted to perform this act with an email or text message; it should be in written form. Follow up your conversation by writing a letter to your doctor confirming your conversation about your release.
4. After you've been under a doctor's care for some time the doctor tells you that you should be able to return to work at this time. If you are still too hurt to work you must speak up and let the doctor know. Explain how doing the tasks of your job impact your injury and let the doctor know that you need more treatment. If necessary, ask to see a specialist or ask for more diagnostic tests to be performed.
Speak to a workers' compensation lawyer like those at the Law Offices Of Timothy L Lapointe PC if any of the above ring a bell.
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