Here are seven common mistakes to avoid when pursuing a compensation claim
- Reporting Injury
One of the most common mistakes the employees commit is not properly reporting the accident to the employer. You must report to your employer in writing about an injury within 30 days of the incident. - Providing an incomplete history to doctors
Doctors need to know where your pain is and how the injury happened. This information is essential to your health and your claim as well. - Forgetting to file a Form 18
Pursuing a compensation is a separate action from reporting the injury to your employer. Form 18 must be filed immediately with the Industrial Commission. - Not following a doctor’s orders
Benefits can be denied if you fail to attend medical appointments or don’t take prescribed treatment. It helps to get a second opinion if the first one doesn’t seem right. - Lack of clarity about when to return to work
To avoid confusion over what your duties are when you return, request an updated job description from your employer. - Trying to settle a claim while out of work
If you can no longer perform your job duties, it may result in job loss. It’s best to be patient and wait for the best compensation offer, which is usually not the initial one. - Ending up with poor representation
Trying to resolve a compensation claim with an inappropriate attorney or no attorney isn’t the best representation and could disrupt your claim.
