More often than not, when employees are injured on the job, someone is around to witness the incident and provide supporting testimonial. But what if you suffer an injury when no one is around to back up your claims?
Unfortunately, many unwitnessed work injury claims are denied — at least initially. There are a three steps you can take after a work accident to better document your injuries and increase your chances of obtaining the workers’ compensation you deserve.
1. Report the Injury
It’s very important to report your workplace injury as soon as possible to your employer and a doctor. Doing so will help you validate that the injury did, in fact, take place at both the time and place you say. It will also show that you’re being open and honest about the situation from the start.
2. Be Detailed
When you report the accident, try to be as detailed as possible. Describe your surroundings at the time of the accident. Be very specific about the time and place that the accident occurred. Give a step-by-step account of how the accident happened, and be honest throughout your account. Do not admit fault.
3. Be Honest With Your Doctor
When discussing your injury with a doctor, be thorough and fully explain all of your symptoms. It’s important to not mislead your doctor or exaggerate your injuries. The information you give your doctor will be put into record and will serve as a valuable piece of evidence should insurance try to deny your claim for compensation.
If you’re concerned about receiving your full workers’ compensation benefits for a Colorado workplace accident, speaking to a workers’ comp attorney can help. Contact The Babcock Law Firm to learn more about your situation and see how we can help. You can also learn more at our Workers’ Compensation Guide.
