When you’re injured on the job, filling out a work injury report is one of the most important things you can do to protect your rights.
Your work injury report will generally be used as evidence to support your claim for workers’ compensation benefits. However, if there are any potential red flags in your report, it could hurt your case and prevent you from receiving the benefits you deserve. This article will discuss some of the most common red flags to watch out for and how to avoid them.
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6 Potential Red Flags in Your Work Injury Report
Delay in Reporting
Usually, when an injury occurs, you should report it to your employer as soon as possible. If you wait too long to report the injury, it may be seen as suspicious and could hurt your case.
Lack of Witnesses
Nothing screams “red flag” quite like an injury with no witnesses. If no other people can corroborate your story, it may be more difficult to prove that the injury occurred at work.
Vague or Questionable Details
When describing your injury and how it occurred, be as specific as possible. If your story is vague or has too many holes, it will make you look less credible.
On the other hand, giving too much information may make you look like you’re trying to cover something up.
It’s Tough to Reach You
It’s not uncommon for injured workers to be difficult to get a hold of. After all, you’re probably dealing with a lot of pain and medical appointments.
But if your employer or insurance company can’t get in touch with you, it may make them suspicious. They may think you’re not really injured or you’re hiding something.
Changing Doctors or Medical Providers
You have the right to choose your own doctor, but it may make the insurance company suspicious if you switch doctors too often. They may think you’re trying to game the system or that you’re not really injured.
Additionally, if you see a lot of different specialists, it may make your case more difficult to prove.
Previous Injuries
If you have a history of injuries, it may make the insurance company suspicious. They may think you’re more likely to be injured again or that your current injury is from a previous one. Plus, it’s not uncommon for people to “forget” about previous injuries when filing a claim. However, if you’re caught in lies, it will damage your credibility and hurt your case.
While there are many potential red flags in a work injury report, these are some of the most common. However, you can avoid these red flags with a little planning and preparation. Here are some tips:
- Report the injury as soon as possible.
- Speak with an experienced Missouri workers compensation attorney as soon as possible.
- Get witnesses to corroborate your story, if possible.
- Be honest and upfront about what happened. Give enough detail to verify your story, but don’t go overboard.
- Make sure you’re easy to get a hold of, and in case you’re unavailable, have a designated point of contact, such as a friend or family member, who can relay messages to you.
By following these tips, you can avoid many of the common red flags in your work injury report and give yourself the best chance at a successful claim.
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If you have been injured on the job, our workers’ compensation attorneys are here to help. Give us a call 24/7 for a free case evaluation and benefit from over 30 years of experience!
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