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Why It Is Important To Report Work Injuries Immediately

On Behalf of | Jan 31, 2019 | Workers' Compensation |

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We know that you probably do not like to think about work injuries. They are not something anyone wants to experience. Unfortunately, many people will end up with a work injury over the course of their career. While most of these injuries are minor and result in only a day or so off of work, there are plenty of serious injuries that happen. Regardless of whether a work injury is severe or minor, it needs to be reported as soon as it happens. During the latest reporting year, there were nearly 3 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses reported to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

At Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP, we know that work injuries are a reality across all industries. It does not matter if you work in construction or if you have an office job, the potential to get hurt is there. If you are struggling with getting coverage for your injury from the insurance company or if you have been fired for reporting an injury, you need a San Diego workers compensation attorney.

Report When You Know About It

If you are injured at work, it is vitally important that you report the incident to your supervisor so they can start the process of getting the claim covered by workers’ compensation.

Why is this important?

Because, if you report your injury at a later time, hours or even days after the incident took place, your claim may end up getting denied because it could be argued that you sustained the injury outside of work. The lapse in time gives the insurance company what they need to say, “We see no proof that this injury happened due to a work-related incident.”

We realize that people do not always feel the full extent of an injury right away. When something happens and a person’s adrenaline gets going, they may not feel the pain until hours later. Just because you do not notice pain right away does not mean there is no injury. It is always better to play it safe, report the injury, and seek medical treatment.

By reporting an injury right away, you can preserve the evidence of whatever caused the incident. If there are witnesses, their memories will be clear and their statements can be gathered.

What You Can Do Now

Under almost all circumstances, an injury that happens at work should be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Even if you made a mistake, the insurance should cover you. There are exceptions (impairment due to drugs or alcohol, purposefully reckless behavior, etc.), but they are rare.

At Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP, we want to help you if your injury claim has been denied. Our qualified and experienced team will investigate your case and work to get the compensation you deserve. This can include coverage for your medical expenses, lost income if you missed work, as well as pain and suffering damages. When you need a workers’ compensation attorney in San Diego, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling our office.

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