When you suffer an accident at work, claiming for compensation may be one of the first things you consider. Many claims are delayed or completely rejected due to a few simple errors that you can avoid. Here are the most common mistakes to avoid after you've suffered a workplace accident.

Not Reporting the Accident in a Timely Manner

You won't be the one making the claim. It will be up to the workplace, and that means you need to report the accident. Even if you do make the claim, the actual accident needs to be reported through the right channels and within a reasonable time, depending on state law. In Pennsylvania, the injury must be reported to your supervisor within 21 days of it occurring, for example.

Even if you don't think it is serious enough to warrant a claim, report the incident. This will protect you and the workplace in the future.

Don't rely on reporting to your doctor. Your doctor is there for your health and not to help you claim compensation.

Claiming Through Personal Health Coverage

Some employers will suggest that you use your own health cover when you suffer an injury. You don't need to and you shouldn't follow this advice. It protects the workplace and not you. The company will have cover for injuries occurring in the workplace, so claim through them. It will protect your right to workers compensation afterwards. You also won't have deductibles to pay like you would with your private cover.

Embellishing Problems After the Accident

Watch out for embellishing in the hope that you will get more or make your claim go through quicker. Insurance fraud is a major problem across the whole industry, so companies look into all the details. It's best to stick to the facts or your whole claim could be rejected due to this error.

Not Getting Medical Help

You will need to seek medical help as soon as possible for the best chance of recovery. Some people will wait to get a list of approved doctors from their workplace, but that could mean delaying treatment so it costs more. You may also be viewed as negligent by doing that. Get help from your own doctor and then deal with the independent exam from an insurance-chosen doctor later.

By avoiding the above mistakes, you stand a better chance of getting your claim approved quickly. Too many people make mistakes and don't see the money they are entitled to, so they can get help after their workplace accident.

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