Reasons to Report Your Work-Related Injury or Illness as Soon as Possible

Many Florida workers know that they are entitled to pursue workers’ compensation benefits when they are injured on the job or develop a work-related medical condition. However, many of these employees don’t realize that the longer they wait to report their injuries, the more difficult the process will become. In fact, they believe the exact opposite. They think that by delaying the process and either working while injured or taking time off for the injury, they’re helping their employers.

But after a workplace injury or illness occurs, you must follow specific procedures in order to have a valid claim for workers’ compensation benefits. That includes reporting your injury to your employer within 30 days—after that you may be barred from filing a workers’ compensation claim at all.

Delaying Your Injury or Illness Report Can Hurt Your Claim for Workers’ Compensation Benefits

When you delay reporting your injury, your employer’s insurance company may question the validity of the entire claim. The insurance company may assert that:

• Your injury didn’t occur at work.
• Your injury is not severe enough to keep you from working.
• You are just trying to get out of work.
• You are trying to blame your employer for a pre-existing condition that recently flared up.

Reporting Your Work-Related Injury or Illness in a Timely Manner Maximizes Your Chances for Success

When you report your injury to your employer as soon as you reasonably can, fill out an injury report, get prompt medical attention, and get legal advice from an experienced Florida workers’ compensation attorney, you will:

• Decrease confusion. If your injury occurred as a result of an accident, evidence and witness statements can be gathered while they’re still fresh. These reports can then be used to clarify questions from the insurance company and help prove the nature of the injury.
• Decreased risk for accusations. The more evidence you can secure to prove when and how the injury occurred, the less suspicion can be raised on whether the claim is legitimate.
• Increased chance of getting benefits sooner. The sooner you report your injury or illness, the sooner your attorney can help you secure your benefits.

For more information on securing your workers’ compensation benefits after a workplace injury or illness, please fill out the convenient contact form on this page. As with your claim, punctuality is near to our heart. We will get back to you quickly to schedule a free consultation.