Employees often think of workers’ compensation claims as a hassle, but the risks of not reporting an injury at work can be much more significant. If you don’t report an injury, you could lose benefits, have to pay more, or even get in trouble with the law. Also, getting the benefits you deserve can be challenging if you file a workers’ compensation claim incorrectly or late. Regarding workers’ compensation claims, it’s essential to know your rights and responsibilities to get the full benefits you’re entitled to.
Workplace Injury
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not have a separate category for work injuries that were not reported, but the National Safety Council (NSC) does. The NSC says that about 50% of all workplace injuries are not reported each year.
There are many reasons why injuries at work might not be reported, such as:
- Fear that their employers will punish them.
- Lack of understanding of how to report.
- Thinks the injury isn’t bad enough to be worth reporting.
- Also, many workers may not even know they can report work-related injuries.
- It is essential for both the employee and the employer that an injury at work is reported. It ensures that the employee gets the proper medical care and keeps the employer from being sued.
A worker might not report an injury for several reasons. They might fear losing their job or don’t want to deal with the paperwork. But it can be dangerous not to report an injury.
Dangers of not reporting a Workplace Injury
If you get hurt on the job, you might be afraid of what will happen if you tell your boss. Will you get in trouble? How likely is it that you’ll keep your job?
There are many good reasons to report an injury at work and a few wrong reasons. In fact, not telling someone about an injury can cost a lot more than telling them about it.
Here are some of the things that could happen if an injury at work isn’t reported:
1. You could miss out on benefits from workers’ comp.
2. Your wound might get worse.
3. You could miss out on getting help with your income and getting back on your feet.
Also, if an injury at work isn’t reported, the worker and the boss can face serious consequences. Workers’ compensation benefits may not get given to the worker, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration may fine the employer (OSHA).
If a worker gets hurt and doesn’t tell their boss, OSHA could fine the boss up to $5,000. The worker may also not get workers’ compensation benefits if the injury is found later and it is found that the worker didn’t report it promptly.
Both the employee and the employer need to report a Workplace Injury.
How Do I Report Workplace Injury?
If you get hurt on the job, you should first tell your boss about it. You might be wondering how to report an injury at work and what kind of information you need to give.
How you report an injury at work can be different depending on your employer and the kind of injury you’ve had. You might be able to report the injury online or by phone in some situations. In other situations, you may need to fill out a paper form or go to the hospital in person to report the injury.
How To Make A Workers’ Comp Claims?
If you hurt yourself at work:
- The first thing you should do is telling your boss about the injury.
- Then, if you need to, you should see a doctor.
- It would help if you talked to a workers ‘ compensation lawyer after telling your boss about the injury and getting medical help. A workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand how the system works and ensure you get the benefits to which you are entitled.
- Then, your employer will tell their workers’ comp Claims Company about what happened. The insurance company will then get in touch with you to start making a claim. You will need to tell the insurance company the following things:
- Your contact information
- The date of the accident.
- The date of the accident.
- You can file a lawsuit if you are not happy with the workers’ compensation benefits you are getting.
Talk to us! Workers’ comp claims can be dangerous if they are not filed correctly. If you don’t report an injury at work, you might not get the medical care you need, you might not be able to get workers’ compensation benefits, or you might even get fired. Visit Pistiolas Law or call us at (844) 414-1768 to get the help you need if you’ve been hurt at work.
