If you’ve been injured in the workplace and have needed to seek medical attention and take time off work as a result, it is likely that you are entitled to some form of workers’ compensation, since you will have lost money through medical bills or lost wages.
You may be nervous to approach your employer to tell them about your injury, because you may worry that they will become angry or disappointed in you. While this is a valid concern to have, it is also important to recognize your legal protections: It is illegal for an employer to retaliate against their employee for filing for workers’ compensation. The following is an overview of some of the most common workers’ compensation fears.
I’ll be denied compensation due to lack of proof
When you file for workers’ compensation, it is important that you do so as quickly as possible. The sooner after the accident you file, the easier it will be for you to make statements and recall details. It will also be easier for you to gather witness statements and evidence in the form of photographs. While it will certainly be easier for you to be successful in your workers’ compensation claim when you take early action, you will still need to provide adequate proof.
I’ll be fired for filing
Many workers believe that their employer will find an excuse to fire them after they file. However, it is even more difficult for an employer to file their employee after they have made a workers’ compensation claim since they will need to show that they did not retaliate.
I will never be able to work again
If you have been seriously injured in a work accident, you may not be able to continue in your current role. However, you should be entitled to rehabilitation to help retrain you in another role.
Make sure that you do not delay action when you have been injured at work. Learn more about your options for gaining the compensation you deserve.