The Risks Of Failing To Report An Injury At Work

Jolly

While some industries are more dangerous than others, injuries can occur on any job. When an employee is injured at work, they must report the injury to their immediate supervisor as soon as possible. Failure to report an injury could have adverse repercussions.

Failing to report an injury at work can lead to fines and other penalties under the Defense Base Act (DBA). In this article, we will discuss the risks of failing to report an injury at work and provide answers to some Defense Base Act FAQ.

States Have Adopted Strong Workers’ Compensation Laws

Over the years, most states have adopted strong workers’ compensation laws. These laws are meant to protect both the employer and their employees. Most companies also have written rules and regulations that focus on the reporting process. To ensure injured workers’ rights remain protected, they should seek help from Mottaz and Sisk Injury Law.

Injured Workers Must Understand the Workers’ Compensation Laws In Their State

Being aware of the requirements for their state will help injured workers take action and ensure they are protecting their rights. The following are some of the dangers when injured workers do not report their injuries to employers.

If the injured worker fails to report their injuries, they may get better without incident, but they could also get worse. When injured workers find their injury worsens, they may find it difficult to pursue compensation because they waited too long to report the injury.
Some workers fail to report their injuries because they are afraid of a retaliatory response from their employer. It is important to remember that it is against the law for an employer to take negative action against a worker for reporting an injury. If a worker waits to report, they could find their supervisor, and fellow employees will turn against them.
The injured worker may even have the claim denied if they wait too long to report an injury. There is a specific protocol injured workers must follow. Failure to follow this process promptly could result in a person running out of time because of time limits expiring.
When injured workers fail to report their injuries immediately, the insurance company may question the severity of the injuries. The insurance company may say the injured worker does not have a severe injury because they failed to report the accident.

What Steps Should Injured Workers Take After a Workplace Injury?

When workers are injured on the job, they must take the right steps so they can receive fair workers’ compensation for their injuries. The first step in the process involves an injured worker reporting their injuries in writing. Injured workers should never report verbally. Putting the report in writing ensures the injured worker has proof they reported the injuries to the employer promptly. Most states have a time requirement for injured workers to report.

Once a person reports their injuries, the employer must start the process of filing a claim with their insurance company. The insurance company then has a specific timeframe to either approve or deny the claim. If the insurance company denies the claim, they must provide information outlining the reason for denying it to the injured party.

If the claim is approved, an injured worker will receive compensation for a percentage of their wages. They will receive 100% coverage for all medical care related to the treatment of their workplace injuries.

Get Legal Help

Injured workers who are finding it difficult to get the workers’ compensation benefits they are owed should consider seeking help from a lawyer. Injured workers should not wait long to seek legal help. Getting help right away will protect a worker’s right to receive fair compensation.