In California, the workers’ compensation system is designed to protect employees who have suffered injuries or illnesses while on the job or due to their job. Its overarching function is to provide financial support and medical benefits to cover expenses and lost wages while an injured or sick employee is recovering. At Eason & Tambornini, we see people daily who need guidance on how to move through the workers’ compensation system responsibly to promote a speedy and successful recovery. These six tips will help you do the same.
- Neglecting Medical Treatment:
By far, a common mistake injured workers make is neglecting or putting off recommended medical treatment or even seeing a doctor for the first time to get a diagnosis and set up a treatment plan. Medical attention is crucial for your health and well-being and helps streamline your workers’ compensation claim. Also, if you don’t comply with recommended treatments, your recovery could be jeopardized, and doubts about your claim’s legitimacy could be raised.
- compensation Failing to Report Changes in Your Condition:
You must let your employer and their insurance carrier know immediately if your condition worsens, improves, or changes in some way during the workers’ compensation benefit period. If you do not, complications in your claim could arise, affecting the type and amount of benefits you receive. Additionally, you can only receive the treatment you need if you express precisely what you are experiencing.
- Engaging in Unauthorized Activities:
Simply put, you must follow your doctor’s instructions for physical movement, including restrictions or alterations to your normal activities. One apparent reason for following your doctor’s limitations is that it could worsen your injury or illness and lengthen your recovery time. Plus, if you get caught doing things you aren’t supposed to be doing, your claim may be questioned, and you could lose your benefits.
- Ignoring Documentation and Deadlines:
Along with following doctor’s orders is adhering to the responsibility of keeping accurate records. This means keeping copies of all relevant documents, including medical records, treatment payment receipts, and any correspondence with your employer and the insurance company. If you miss deadlines such as filing claims or appeals, your benefits could be delayed or denied.
- Failing to Communicate Clearly:
Please keep your communication flowing freely during the workers’ compensation process. This means returning calls and replying to emails if you are asked to by your employer, doctor, another healthcare practitioner, or insurance company reps. Not doing so could result in misunderstandings, delayed benefits, or incorrect diagnoses.
- Returning to Work Prematurely:
Going back to work early (before a doctor clears you) could affect your health and jeopardize your workers’ comp benefits. Talk to the doctor treating you, follow all recommendations and advice, and allow the process to unfold how it is designed. The last thing you want to do is reinjure yourself or risk losing your benefits by not following your return-to-work instructions.
Do This Instead
If you are on workers’ compensation because of a work-related injury or illness, ask plenty of questions so you understand all instructions given to you by your employer, doctor, or workers’ comp attorney if you are working with one. Eason & Tambornini workers’ compensation attorneys have decades of experience helping people like you navigate the workers’ compensation system. Call today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation.
