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It’s Important to Report Work Injuries Within 30 Days

Posted by Lynne Shigo | May 10, 2020 | 0 Comments

After you have been injured at work it is very important to promptly report the injury to your employer.

If you are injured at work it is important that you report your injury to your supervisor or Human Resources right away. A common mistake is thinking that the pain will go away and that you will be fine. If you don't report your injury within 30 days of the date of accident, you will not be able to receive workers' compensation benefits.

If you are severely injured and are transported to the hospital by ambulance, notify your supervisor or Human Resources that you were injured as soon as your condition is stable.

Your work injury might not occur from a sudden accident. It can develop as a result of repetitive activities performing your job. If this happens, determining that you were injured at work can be tricky. Many workers are not aware that they were injured because of their daily work duties until they see a doctor and the doctor informs them that this is a work injury. As soon as you are aware that your symptoms are work related, report your injury to your supervisor or Human Resources right away. If you don't report your injury within 30 days of becoming aware of your injury being work related, you will not be able to receive workers' compensation benefits.

If your work injury does not occur from an accident but develops as a result of exposure to toxic substances such as mold, fungus or chemicals you must report the exposure to your supervisor or Human Resources within 30 days of the exposure or when you first became aware that your symptoms are from the exposure.

When discussing your work injury with your employer, workers' compensation carrier or doctor, always tell the truth. The Workers' Compensation statute has strict misrepresentation and fraud provisions. If the employer or carrier can prove that you lied or misrepresented facts regarding your injury, they can permanently deny you workers' compensation benefits.

About the Author

Lynne Shigo

Lynne Shigo, a New York native, earned a law degree from Thomas Colley University (now Western Michigan) and her LL.M from the University of Florida in 1992. Specializing in workers compensation and social security, she knows her subject areas from both sides. After spending 2½ years representin...

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