Common Mistakes When Filing for Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system that provides compensation to those who suffer injuries as a result of their employment. While you don’t need to prove anyone else was at fault for causing your injuries to qualify for benefits, receiving benefits isn’t necessarily as easy as filling out an application. In fact, there are mistakes people frequently make when filing for workers’ compensation benefits. The Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC is a North Carolina workers’ compensation and personal injury law firm dedicated to helping accident victims recover fair compensation for what they’ve been through. We can help you avoid the most common mistakes when filing for workers’ compensation benefits.

Before any employer or insurance company approves a workers’ compensation claim, they will insist on seeing your medical records. Ideally, you should go to the emergency room, urgent care facility or walk-in clinic immediately after the accident. This shows that your injuries were serious. On the other hand, if you wait a month to go to the doctor, it opens the door for the insurance company to argue that you didn’t think your injuries were serious.

Under North Carolina workers’ compensation laws, you must report that accident to your employer before filing a claim. Waiting too long to report the accident may look suspicious in your employer’s eyes.

Depending on the situation, you may have been the only witness to the accident. Thus, it is important that you sit down and document as much as you can about the accident as soon as possible. This ensures you have something to refer to when speaking about your claim and that your story remains consistent.

Whenever you go to a doctor’s appointment, receive test results, fill a prescription, undergo any medical procedure, be sure to jot down a few notes. You should also save all medical bills you receive. While your attorney can track this information down, it makes for a smoother process if you keep a file of all the treatment you receive related to your injuries.

Generally, your employer of their insurance company can select your treating physicians. However, if you disagree with a doctor’s assessment of your injuries, you are free to visit your own doctor for a second opinion.

Failure to follow a treating doctor’s recommendations can result in your workers’ compensation claim being denied. So, even if you disagree with a doctor’s assessment, it is imperative that you attend all follow-up appointments, take medications as directed, and follow any medical advice they provide.

Workers’ compensation claims are often contested. Sometimes, this is because an insurance company decides that your injuries were not related to your work. Other times, it’s because the independent medical examiner minimizes your injuries. Regardless, it is always best to bring a knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer into your corner as soon as possible. That way, you know that your claim is being handled properly from start to finish.

If you recently suffered injuries as a result of a workplace accident, contact the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, to discuss your case. At the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, we have decades of experience guiding clients through the workers’ compensation claims process and have helped countless people efficiently obtain benefits. Regardless of whether you suffered injuries in a workplace accident or developed an occupational disease over a longer period of time, we can help you pursue the benefits you need and deserve. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a Charlotte workers’ compensation lawyer, give us a call at 704-405-2580. You can also reach one of our Concord workers’ compensation lawyers at 704-918-4747.