13 Things NOT to Do When Injured on the Job
We hope you are never injured on the job, but the truth is that it is possible.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Over 78,000 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported among Georgia’s private industry employers in 2019, resulting in an incidence rate of 2.5 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers.”
Even though 78,000 were non-fatal, “41,600 were of a more severe nature, involving days away from work, job transfer, or restriction—commonly referred to as DART cases.”
Knowing this, it’s wise to have an idea of what to do when injured on the job.
Better yet, it’s important to know what NOT to do when injured on the job.
As much as we’d like to believe that everyone cares about our quality of life and lost wages, that isn’t always the case.
If you make some of the following common workers’ compensation mistakes, you could find yourself missing out on the benefits you deserve.
Store this list of 13 things not to do when injured on the job in the back of your mind if the unfortunate happens.
#1 Do Not Wait to Report Your Injury
One of the common workers’ compensation mistakes is employees waiting to report their injuries until days later.
This is dangerous.
Let’s say you suffer a work injury on Friday, but you wait to tell your employer until Monday.
Given the gap in time, your employer may accuse you of injuring yourself over the weekend and not at work.
In addition, according to Georgia law, you must report a work injury within 30 days of the injury occurring, or you may not be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
#2 Do Not Simply Tell Your Employer You Need to Go to a Doctor
Another workers’ compensation mistake is not being explicitly clear with your employer about why you need to go to a doctor.
For example, you may say, “I need to go to the doctor.”
Since you didn’t explain why, your employer may not know it is a work-related injury, which is essential for the workers’ compensation process.
Instead, tell your employer, “I need to go to the doctor because I was hurt in the factory.”
It is also a good idea to put it in writing through an email or text message.
[Related Read: The Magic Words to Use When Reporting a Work Injury]
#3 Do Not Wait to Seek Medical Attention
Even if you think it’s a minor injury, you should never wait to seek medical attention for a work injury.
Let’s say you fall while on the job. You shake it off and think you’re okay. Then days later, you realize your neck is still bothering you.
Not only have you jeopardized your healing, but you have also put your workers’ compensation benefits in jeopardy.
#4 Do Not Let Your Boss Choose Your Doctor
When you go to report your work injury to your employer, they may suggest a doctor for you to visit.
This is a workers’ compensation mistake.
While you want to believe your boss is doing this for the good of his heart, the truth is he may be pushing you toward the doctor on the approved panel of physicians who is most employer-friendly.
In other words, he will send you to the doctor that will help him, not you.
You may wind up with a doctor who says you are ready to go back to work long before that is actually true.
[Related Read: Can I Choose My Workers’ Comp Doctor in Georgia?]
#5 Do Not Lie About Your Injury or Medical History
Another one of the common workers’ compensation mistakes is lying about the work injury or your medical history.
We get it.
It is normal to want to downplay your injury or how you are feeling (we’ve all got pride), but saying “I feel fine” when you don’t won’t just hurt your healing process, it can hurt your workers’ compensation chances.
In addition, some people are tempted to lie about their medical history because they are afraid past injuries or illnesses will hurt their workers’ compensation claim.
The truth is that it is okay to have pre-existing conditions, but it isn’t okay if the insurance company catches you lying about them.
#6 Do Not Ignore the Doctor’s Orders
If you want to receive workers’ compensation benefits, you better follow your doctor’s orders.
If the insurance company believes you aren’t sticking to the doctor’s orders, they will make you out to be a liar who doesn’t deserve workers’ compensation benefits.
So, if your doctor puts you on bed rest, stay in bed.
If the doctor says no heavy lifting, don’t move your neighbor’s furniture.
#7 Do Not Speak to a Nurse Case Manager or Insurance Adjuster
Unfortunately, there are people who will try to talk to you about your work injury who are not actually there to see how you are doing.
I’m talking about nurse case managers and insurance adjusters.
These people work for insurance companies and their job involves them figuring out how they can save insurance companies money.
That means they will be looking for anything you say that can let the insurance company “off the hook” for your medical bills or lost wages.
[Related Read: Do I Have to Talk to My Nurse Case Manager in Georgia?]
#8 Do Not Neglect to Get a Second Opinion
Let’s say the doctor you’ve selected from the posted panel of physicians rubs you wrong or doesn’t seem to believe you.
Maybe the doctor is ready to send you back to work when you know you aren’t ready.
You have the right to seek a second opinion. This means seeing a different doctor on the panel of physicians.
#9 Do Not Think You Are Safe from Surveillance outside of Work
One of the other workers’ compensation mistakes is believing you are only being watched at work.
It is creepy, but insurance companies do perform surveillance outside of work, such as outside your home or following you.
Their goal is to catch you disobeying doctor’s orders or doing something that suggests you aren’t hurt as badly as you claim.
For example, let’s say you lift a box of feathers from your trunk. The surveillance camera catches you moving a large box. It doesn’t matter if it is light as feathers. To them, it looks as if you are doing some heavy lifting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=281uILUVcb8
#10 Do Not Try to Handle It on Your Own
Filing a workers’ compensation claim and receiving said benefits is not an easy process.
There are several deadlines and lots of paperwork.
Then, you have to factor in the sneaky insurance companies who will try to fight giving you money.
You do not want to go through the process alone.
You need to work with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.
#11 Do Not Sign Paperwork without Reviewing It
We know the lengthy legal language used in important documents makes your eyes glaze over.
But you absolutely should not sign any paperwork from the insurance company without reviewing it carefully.
It’s even better if you pass it along to your attorney and have them read it.
The issue is that you may sign a settlement offer without realizing all the details. Once you sign a settlement, you will not receive any additional compensation.
You want to make sure the settlement amount is what you need and deserve.
#12 Do Not Accept a Denied Claim
Many workers’ compensation claims are denied the first time.
It is common for employees to appeal the insurance company’s decision.
And you should, too.
You have a right to seek a clear reason for the denial and to request a hearing in front of an administrative law judge with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation.
Since a hearing requires litigation, this is another reason why it is necessary to work with an experienced workers’ comp attorney.
[Related Read: 7 Steps to Take If Your Workers’ Comp Claim Is Denied in Georgia]
#13 Do Not Hire Just Any Attorney
You may be tempted to hire any old attorney, such as your buddy’s brother who practices real estate law.
This is a mistake.
Workers’ compensation is complicated, and it varies from one state to another.
You want to work with an attorney who has plenty of experience with workers’ compensation cases in the state of Georgia.
They not only know the ins and outs of Georgia workers’ compensation law, but they also have an idea of the “good” and “not-so-good” doctors in the area.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZG87lk7DA
If you’ve been injured on the job, contact us today for a free, no-strings-attached consultation.
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