Workers encounter work accidents on a daily basis, and sometimes those incidents have serious consequences. Particularly in the case of a construction accident, parties may need assistance both physically and financially.
Thankfully, there are benefits in place to assist those who qualify. In order to avoid losing access to certain benefits, parties should steer away from a few mistakes.
Not seeing a physician
Medical records are one of the key forms of evidence for any type of claim involving a medical issue. It creates a paper trail and provides an expert opinion of the claimant’s condition. Therefore, parties should seek medical attention immediately, and submit to any requested follow up appointments or specialist referrals.
Improper reporting
As with any claim, if parties do not follow the proper protocol or procedures, they run the risk of a claim denial. Along with the government regulations, companies have their own policies in place in regards to addressing work accidents. Employees should be familiar with these policies and follow the set protocol for reporting the injury. In addition, employees should note who they reported the incident to.
Not understanding workers’ comp
Workers’compensation is in place to assist employees who experience work injuries. As such, a workers’ compensation claim tends to be the most common and greatest compensation source. However, certain parties may also qualify for a claim. In particular, if the accident was due to the negligence of the company or a supervising party, an accident claim may be viable. Identifying if there is true negligence involved is essential to this option. Parties must also be able to prove the negligence, by showing that the responsible party did not uphold the required duty of care, resulting in the accident and damages to the claimant.
While these aspects can aid parties in receiving assistance after a construction accident, they are not the only things to consider. Parties should also gather and keep copies of any evidence collected.