Mistakes in dealing with employers after a work accident

On Behalf of | Aug 2, 2021 | Workplace Accidents

Accidents, by nature, are unexpected. While many of them happen when a worker tries something new for the first time, countless others occur amid an employee doing something they’ve done countless times.

Pennsylvania law requires employers to maintain workers’ compensation insurance to cover an employee’s medical bills and lost wages if an on-the-job incident leaves them injured. Employers aren’t the only ones that must take steps following an injury incident. Employees must take proactive measures, too.

Workers run the risk of having their employer or insurer deny the claim if they don’t take the steps they need to following an accident.

Steps to take after a workplace accident

One of the first steps you’ll want to take after you suffer a workplace injury is telling your employer about it. You should have a colleague tell them initially if you’re too incapacitated. You should circle back and reach out to your employer personally to ensure that they’re aware of what happened as soon as you can.

Prepare yourself for the prospect that your employer will want to interview you or have you draft a written statement once you report what happened.

Pennsylvania law generally allows workers to see doctors of their choice for treatment following a workplace incident. There are a few exceptions to this rule. You should carefully weigh which doctor you see. They should be well-experienced in treating your presenting concern and also experienced in producing the supporting reports that workers’ compensation insurers often require to successfully process a claim. The insurer may deny your claim if weak reporting occurs.

Another thing that you should do to ensure the best outcome in your case is to follow their orders. You shouldn’t cut short your treatment before they say it’s time, as this may also result in your claim’s denial.

What to do when your workers’ comp claim gets denied

Many workers follow all the right steps and yet still have their employer or insurer deny the injury claim. Instances like this may rise to the level of a bad faith insurance claim. You may need to delve a bit deeper into the reasoning for the denial before deciding how to proceed in your case.

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