Getting hurt at work is a real possibility, and it can turn one’s life upside down. Fortunately, Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system provides benefits to injured employees without requiring them to prove that their employer is at fault. Likewise, employers cannot avoid responsibility by arguing that the employees were partly at fault.
Everything seems straightforward until it is not. Generally, the process for a workers’ compensation claim in Minneapolis can be complicated, and some mistakes can make it even more stressful.
Reporting Your Accident Improperly and Too Late
Some employees do not report an accident because their injuries do not seem like a big deal. That is like not believing you have the right to a safe workplace.
If your employer has an accident-reporting policy, follow it. Also, remember that Minnesota law can allow up to 180 days to report a work injury in certain circumstances, but reporting an injury within the first 14 days helps protect your position.
A late and improper report does not automatically mean your claim is over. Still, it can give the insurance company an argument that the delay made it harder to investigate the mishap.
Waiting to Seek Medical Attention
A long gap between the accident and your first medical appointment may give an insurance company room to question how serious the injury really was. They may also question whether the condition came from your job.
Without medical records that state what happened, what parts of your body were hurt, what symptoms you experienced, and what treatment your healthcare provider recommended, it can be much harder to connect your injury to your workplace.
Minnesota allows injured employees to choose their treating physician, subject to certain rules and limitations. Do not undermine yourself.
Failing To Give a Full and Accurate History
Tell your doctor where you hurt, how you sustained the injury, when it occurred, and what you were doing when it did. Do not leave out symptoms as well, so you get the proper treatment.
Keep in mind that insurance companies may compare what you said to your doctor with what you later say about the accident. That means consistency is a must.
Not Following Your Doctor’s Treatment Plan
Once you start treatment, stick with it because insurance companies pay attention to treatment records, too. If you repeatedly miss appointments, for example, they may question whether your injury is as serious as you have reported.
No matter how difficult it is to keep up with your treatment plan, do your best. If something genuinely prevents you, communicate and reschedule. Prioritize your health. When you do, your claim stays on solid ground as well.
Not Knowing When to Return to Work
You will still have bills to pay even if you are injured. So, you think of returning to work before you are medically ready.
If you return to work and suffer another injury, things can become legally complicated. It may raise questions about whether the new problem is related to your original injury or represents a separate event.
The safest approach is to follow your medical restrictions and communicate openly with your doctor and employer.
Posting on Social Media After the Accident
Assume anything you post online could be seen by the people handling your workers’ comp claim in Minneapolis. Insurance adjusters and defense teams may review publicly available information, such as photos, videos, captions, or even innocent comments that can be taken out of context.
For instance, you could post a picture from a family get-together where you are smiling ear to ear. Someone processing your claim might suggest that you are more physically and emotionally capable than your medical records indicate.
While your claim is active, think before you click. Avoid sharing details about your injury, activities, treatments, or work situation.
Thinking the Process Will Be Easy
Sometimes, a workers’ comp claim in Minneapolis does go smoothly. However, it rarely does. There are many deadlines to meet and legal rules to comply with. Yes, you are hurt, but it is still your responsibility to complete the requirements.
Unfortunately, insurance companies will not prioritize you as you wish. As such, it is best to expect that they will not make the process easy for you and that you must actively fight for your rights.
Not Keeping Track of Records
When you are hurt, paperwork is probably not your primary concern. Still, you must save medical bills, appointment information, work restrictions, correspondence from the insurance company, letters from your employer, and other documents related to your injury. Note important conversations with your employer or the insurance company as well.
Documentation helps clear up disagreements. A physical or digital folder can go a long way.
Accepting the First Settlement Offer
Getting a settlement offer can feel like a huge relief, especially when you have already been through so much that you simply want the whole thing to be over. Before accepting anything, ask yourself whether you fully understand what you are giving up and whether the offer adequately accounts for your situation.
Your condition may worsen after and require additional medical care. Your ongoing work restrictions may stop you from returning to your previous job. Get advice before signing something that could permanently affect your rights.
Not Hiring a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Some injured employees hesitate to talk to an attorney because they are unsure they actually need one. Others do not know how to find a lawyer they can trust. Some have had unpleasant experiences in the past, and some believe the insurance company when it suggests that hiring an attorney will automatically leave them with less money.
You pay lawyers to help you navigate the system. These professionals gather evidence and pursue benefits you may otherwise overlook. They handle the tasks you cannot while you are recovering. That is why you should not wait until your claim has completely fallen apart before asking for support.
Aim for the Success of Your Claim
Osterbauer Law Firm serves injured employees throughout Minnesota. We believe you deserve compensation for the life-changing troubles you had while on the job. With us, you can avoid mistakes that could destroy your workers’ compensation claim in Minneapolis.
Our team offers free consultation and representation. Unless you receive benefits, you do not have to pay us anything. That is how committed we are to your success. Call (612) 334-3434 or contact us online today.