Workplace Accident Lawyers
Many employers do everything they can to ensure a safe workplace. However, workers can still get injured for one reason or another. If you have been hurt at work, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages. It is important to consult a workers’ compensation lawyer soon.
However, in order to receive those benefits, you have to report your work injury in a timely fashion. Unfortunately, some workers are reluctant to report their injury because they are afraid their employer may be angry.
Here are a few reasons to report your injury to your employer promptly.
Follow Deadlines
Some employees do not think their injury is severe enough and believe that they can just work through it. This is a big mistake. In Illinois, the deadline to report a work injury is within 45 days of the injury. If you tell your employer about your injury after that deadline has passed, you may not be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits anymore.
Demonstrate That You Take Your Injury Seriously
If you report your work injury right after it occurs, it can show your employer that you take your injury seriously and are worried about how it may affect your job. Your employer will see that you are being responsible and taking charge of the situation.
Prevent Suspicion
As the legal professionals at Therman Law Offices, LTD can confirm, employees who wait a long time to report their injury may raise suspicion. Their boss may wonder why they waited too long to report the injury and may even think they are making it up. If you tell your employer about your injury right away, you can avoid losing credibility.
Protect Your Health
Not all work injuries may present serious symptoms in the beginning. Therefore, employees may assume that they are okay and do not need medical care. However, without proper treatment, these injuries can worsen over time and cause complications. That is another good reason to report your injury to your employer promptly and then seek medical care. A doctor should evaluate your injuries immediately and recommend the proper treatment plan.
How to Tell Your Employer About Your Work Injury
If you have been injured at work, you may be nervous about exactly what to say to your employer. It is best to be direct with your employer. You can tell your employer in person or over the phone if you are in a separate location. Let your boss know when and where the accident occurred and if there were witnesses present or not.
Tell the truth and do not try to speculate. If your boss asks you a question that you do not know the answer to, simply say, “I don’t know.” Then, your employer will contact their insurance company and let you know which doctors you can see for diagnosis and treatment.
Schedule a consultation with a compensation lawyer today to discuss your case in detail.
