A common misunderstanding of workers’ compensation is that if you report an injury, your job will be in jeopardy. This does not mean that the employer reports all injuries to the insurance company or that the employer’s liability for workplace injury automatically ends at their doors.
This post intends to give those injured on the job an understanding of how injuries are reported and what steps should be taken after an injury occurs. We often find individuals filing a workers’ compensation claim without knowing they are entitled to benefits, so we have also provided information about what happens when you file a claim and how to protect against future claims by changing jobs or employment status.
The following information is not legal advice. Consulting an attorney is always recommended to understand the specific circumstances of your case.
If you have been injured on the job, it is best to notify your supervisor or manager as soon as possible. They, in turn, will make the necessary arrangements to have you treated by a medical provider and file any reports with the insurance company. This report will allow your employer to seek workers comp fce for costs associated with medical treatment and missed time from work. The workers’ compensation insurance system is a no-fault system meaning that regardless of who caused your injury, you are entitled to benefits once you are approved for help by the insurance company.
The workers’ compensation insurance system is a no-fault system meaning that regardless of who caused your injury, you are entitled to benefits once you are approved for benefits by the insurance company.
Because an employer’s liability for workplace injury ends at the door, it is essential to ensure that the person who caused your injury has been correctly reported to the insurance company. This should be done as soon as possible. Failure to properly report an incident will result in your employer having later problems with how they are compensated for any economic loss associated with your injuries.
It is recommended that the employer file a police report and documentation of any witnesses to the accident, if possible. The insurance company will require this information if they request it to determine the extent of your injuries and their cause. If an employer has not taken appropriate action after making reasonable inquiries as to whether their employees were accident-free, charges against them for failing to maintain proper workman’s comp records and reports can be brought by the insurance carrier.
In most states, it is unlawful for an employer or its agents or representatives to make false statements when reporting an injury on their behalf (i.e., those statements made in a report filed with the insurance carrier are perjury).
