Immediately after suffering an injury on the job you will begin filing your Workers’ Compensation claim. There are many steps to take, and many mistakes to avoid.
Here are a few “dos” and “don’ts” of the New York Workers’ Compensation claims process.
- DO tell your employer immediately that you were in an accident and suffered an injury.
- DON’T give a recorded statement to an insurance company without first talking to an attorney.
- DO seek medical treatment for your injuries as soon as possible and follow up with all doctors’ orders.
- DON’T feel pressured to see doctors your employer or insurance company force you to – you have the right to choose your own doctor!
- DO hire a New York Workers’ Compensation attorney to help you file and settle your case.
- DON’T sign any papers, go back to work, or talk to the insurance company until you have retained an attorney.
- DO get a disability report from your doctor and talk to your employer if you are cleared for light duty work.
- DON’T go back to work until your doctor says it is okay to do so and your attorney approves of your status.
To avoid any other mistakes during your Workers’ Compensation claim you should always ask your attorney before making any changes to your medical treatments or work status. When the insurance company or your employer gives you an order, run it by your attorney first to avoid damaging your rights to fair compensation for your work injuries.
