A work-related injury or illness can leave you with a huge medical bill. If you are hurt at work, you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries, lost income and other damages through the employer-funded workers’ compensation program.
However, a California workers’ comp. process is never a straightforward process. A lot can go wrong while pursuing your claim, leading to under-compensation or total denial of your claim. Here are two common, yet costly, mistakes you need to look out for while pursuing your workers’ compensation claim:
Overlooking important timelines
The law requires workers to notify their employers of all work-related injuries they sustain at work. In California, you are required to give this notice in writing within 30 days. Besides notifying your employer about your injuries, California stature also requires you to file your workers’ comp claim within one year from the date of the accident. Failing to observe these important timelines can result in the denial of your claim.
Failing to seek treatment
If you are involved in a workplace accident, you need to seek a doctor for a timely diagnosis and treatment of your injuries. If you fail to do so, and your injuries escalate, you might develop serious complications that may take much longer to treat or result in a fatality. In failing to seek treatment, your employer’s insurance company may argue that the injuries for which you are seeking compensation did not result from the incident at work. And if they have their way, you might lose your claim.
Still on treatment, it is important that you follow through with the recommended treatment plan. Missing doctor appointments can be interpreted to mean that you are not serious about your own recovery, and this can form the basis for your claims refusal.
Workers’ compensation claim is not only a formality. It is also a legal process that needs to be taken seriously. Find out how you can avoid costly mistakes while pursuing the compensation you deserve following an injury at work.